Holiday ready insurance check-list

Holiday ready insurance check-list

Courtesy of Efficient Insure, we bring you a practical checklist to help you prepare for travel at any time of the year. Whether you are heading off on holiday, travelling for work, or simply spending time away from home, small oversights can quickly turn into unnecessary stress. A quick policy check can make all the difference.

Use this guide to ensure your cover is up to date, your home and valuables are protected, and your peace of mind travels with you.

1. Be travel-ready: documents, drivers and devices

Before you leave, take a moment to confirm the essentials:

• Check your cover: Ensure your vehicle, travel insurance and all-risk items are correctly specified. This is especially important for high-value items such as jewellery, laptops, cameras and gifts you may be travelling with.
• Add temporary drivers or vehicles: If someone else will be driving your vehicle while you are away, make sure they are noted on your policy or that appropriate extensions are in place.
• Keep emergency details handy: Save your insurer assist and roadside assistance numbers on your phone and keep a printed copy in your vehicle’s glove compartment.

2. Home safety while you are away

A secure home is key to a worry-free trip:

• Alarms and locks: Test your alarm system, panic buttons and electric fencing. Inform your security company of your travel dates and update keyholder details.
• Power protection: Use surge protection for appliances and unplug non-essential devices where possible. Smart timers can help create the impression that someone is home.
• Water and weather precautions: Close non-essential water stopcocks and check gutters, downpipes, and roof flashings. Taking photos of your home before you leave can also help support any future claims.

3. Cyber and payment safety during peak risk periods

Fraud and cybercrime often increase when people are travelling or shopping more frequently:

• Be cautious of scams: Gift card and delivery scams are common. Always verify websites and avoid paying via links sent through SMS or messaging apps.
• Enable security features: Use multi-factor authentication for banking, emaila nd cloud accounts.
• Be careful on public Wi-Fi: Avoid making purchases on unsecured networks. If unavoidable, use a VPN and do not save card details on shared devices.

4. Business continuity and closures

If you are closing your business temporarily or operating with reduced staff, a few checks are essential:

• Review contents and stock cover: Ensure sums insured reflect current stock levels or any recent equipment upgrades. Underinsurance can be costly in the event of a loss.
• Final lock-up checks: Confirm alarm systems are functioning, freezers or critical systems are monitored, and key staff contact details are up to date.
• Contractors and maintenance work: Ensure any ongoing work has the correct permits, safety measures and indemnities in place.

5. New purchases and upgrades

New items often need to be added to your policy:

• High-value items: Jewellery, electronics, bicycles and musical instruments should be specified on your policy as soon as they are purchased. Keep invoices, serial numbers and photographs for records.
• Vehicles: If you are purchasing a vehicle, notify your broker before collection so that cover is active from the moment ownership changes.

6. If you need to claim

If something does go wrong, quick action helps speed up the process:

• Prioritise safety: Secure the scene and ensure everyone is safe. Do not admit liability.
• Document everything: Take photos, videos and record any relevant details such as incident or police case numbers.
• Report early: The sooner you notify your broker, the faster assessments, approvals and replacements can be arranged.