How to protect your holiday from unexpected events

Make lasting memories, not best-forgotten horror stories.

As the weather warms up, schools let out for the Summer and the whole family could do with a break from work, a lot more people will be planning holidays abroad. Holidaying to foreign destinations can be great fun, but it’s important to make sure you are prepared to avoid your holiday becoming a travel nightmare! The Department of Foreign Affairs encourages travellers to take precautions ahead of their holidays through its TravelWise campaign, including taking out travel insurance.

What’s at stake?

If you aren’t properly prepared for your travels, your whole holiday could be turned on its head!

While things usually go smoothly, there is always a chance of your plans being disrupted. That’s why it's always important to have a plan for the things that could go wrong. Some situations to consider include:

• Cancelled or curtailed (cut-short) holidays;

• Delayed or missed flights;

• Lost, damaged or delayed luggage;

• Medical emergencies;

• Lost or stolen items (like your passport); and

• Liability if you cause an accident or damage property.

How can travel insurance help?

You can protect you and your family against these major inconveniences by taking out travel insurance. The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends taking out a travel insurance policy as a means of safeguarding your holiday. Travel insurance is a great solution for holidaymakers as it covers a wide range of scenarios.

A travel insurance policy will usually cover:

• Cancellation or curtailment of your trip due to reasons beyond your control;

• Delayed or missed departure;

• Medical care when abroad, including repatriation costs to Ireland;

• Loss, damage or delayed arrival of your possessions;

• Loss or theft of money;

• Replacing a lost passport;

• Personal liability cover if you injure a third party or damage their property in an accident; and

• A fixed payment if you suffer permanent disability or death.

Your policy should cover your entire trip, from departure to return. If you travel often in the one year, you could consider taking out a multi-trip policy. Many insurers will offer travel insurance policyholders 24-hour emergency and assistance service.

Prevention is better than cure

As prevention is always the best option, you should take precautions to avoid ending up in a sticky situation where you might need to make a claim on your travel insurance. Avoiding problems altogether is the best way to ensure you have a great holiday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs recommends keeping in mind:

• Check your passport is in date and apply online, in good time.

• Take a picture of key travel documents like your passport or flight itinerary to keep on your phone.

• Keep your phone charged to share live locations, especially on nights out.

• Stay in touch with the people you are travelling with, and with family in Ireland.

• Keep an eye on your drinks in clubs or bars.

• Be sure to swim only in designated areas, and when it is safe to do so.

Other things to remember

While travel insurance covers a lot of things, it doesn’t cover everything.

• You won’t be covered to drive a car while abroad.

• Claims from a pre-existing medical condition usually aren’t covered.

• If you are detained or have belongings seized by Customs or other state agencies, you won’t be covered.

• Claims arising due to a war, civil war or a coup are not covered.

• Hazardous activities (like skiing or bungee jumping, for example) are often excluded. Ask in advance what is covered and what you may need to pay extra for.

Get peace of mind and make sure that you have a care-free holiday