Five insurance tips for stress-free travel

Whether you’re travelling domestically or overseas, ensuring you have appropriate insurance cover to repair or replace your belongings that you take on holiday and leave at home should be one of your top priorities.

• Accidents and burglaries can happen to anyone at any time. Update your broker if you’re going to be away from home for a long period of time (more than 60 days). Your broker can check if you’ll remain covered, if a higher excess may apply and advise what you need to do.

• Check the sub-limits in your contents policy as there may be limits on items such as E-bikes, laptops, cameras, and jewellery.

• If prepaid items such as flights, accommodation and tours are cancelled, you need to have appropriate travel insurance in place for these costs to be reimbursed.

• Cancellation cover due to Covid only applies if you have taken a travel policy out 21 days or more prior to travelling.

• In the event your bags are delayed or lost after a flight, the Insurance Council of New Zealand advised that the airline is responsible for the initial reimbursement of the costs, and then travel insurance can help cover the difference in the total amount claimed from the airline.

• When deciding on where to travel, visit the New Zealand Government Safe Travel website to see current travel advisories in place for all destinations.

Making sure you’ve adequately secured your home and belongings means you can rest easy while you’re away.

It’s important to:

• Lock all doors and windows and switch on burglar alarms

• Not to advertise that you are away, including on social media

• Ask a friend or neighbour to collect your mail and to check your property from time to time

• Check that your garage and outbuildings are secure

• Lock away jewellery (in a safe if you have one), portable electronic devices and any other valuables

• Turn your water off at the mains and switch off your water heater

Before you set off on a road trip, it’s equally important to check the basics on your vehicle (tyre tread and pressure, wiper blades and headlights) and to review your vehicle insurance policy.

Having appropriate insurance cover may save you hours of having to deal with unforeseen situations, such as car theft. Vehicle insurance can cover you for accidental damage to your vehicle, less any excess, up to the current market value or a value agreed between you and the Insurer (sum insured set).

You can use the My Rothbury App to find your sum insured and keep in mind that vehicles have generally increased in value over the past two years.

• Take photos of your valuables, their receipts and up to date valuations. It’ll help prove you owned the item if you need to claim for it later.

• It may seem obvious, but taking reasonable care of your belongings can help avoid having to make a claim. For example, lock up your valuable jewellery before going to the beach and avoid putting valuables, like jewellery or electronics in a checked bag if you’re travelling on a plane.