As you plan to shut down for the year, with your attention on your December getaway, it’s might be easy to overlook a few important things:

“Are you covered if something goes wrong?”

You might be surprised by some of the benefits your short-term insurance policy offers, as well as a few important conditions you should be aware of.

Here are some things to keep in mind before heading off on holiday.

Your Car – What If Something Goes Wrong Along the Way?

Picture this: You’re halfway to your holiday destination, the car is packed, everyone’s excited, and suddenly your vehicle breaks down or, even worse, you’re involved in an accident.

You are now stranded, with accommodation booked and paid for. Does this mean your holiday is over before it’s even begun?

Not necessarily!

Depending on your insurance policy, you may have access to benefits such as vehicle towing, car hire and even emergency accommodation.

These benefits could make all the difference, potentially allowing you to continue your holiday rather than losing out on non-refundable bookings.

Your Home – Is Everything Secure Before You Leave?

Before heading off, it’s important to make sure your home’s security systems are in proper working order.

For example, let’s say your insurance policy requires you to have a functioning alarm system. You know the alarm isn’t working, but you decide to leave for your holiday anyway.

Unfortunately, if your home is burgled while you’re away, you could find yourself facing complications with your insurance claim or even having it rejected, depending on your policy conditions.

A simple check before leaving could save you a major headache later.

Test your alarm, check your security systems and make sure everything is working as it should.

Your Belongings – What About the Things You Take on Holiday?

We all have those little comforts we simply can’t do without, even when we’re away from home.

Perhaps you can’t imagine starting your morning without a proper cup of coffee, so you decide to take your espresso machine along on holiday.

But what happens if it gets stolen?

You may be surprised to learn that certain household contents policies provide cover for belongings that are temporarily taken away from your home.

Of course, this depends on the policy, the type of item and the circumstances of the loss, but it’s certainly a benefit worth knowing about before you leave.

Your Food – What Happens If the Freezer Stops Working?

Imagine returning home after a fantastic December holiday, only to discover that your fridge or freezer stopped working while you were away.

All that expensive meat, food and other produce you had stocked up on has spoiled.

Or perhaps there was an extended power outage while you were away, leaving everything in your freezer ruined.

The good news is that some household contents policies offer cover for food spoilage resulting from certain events, such as freezer breakdowns or power failures.

While the cover is subject to specific limits and conditions, it’s another valuable benefit that could save you from an unexpected expense.

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way!

There are so many things to think about when planning a holiday, and insurance is probably one of the last things on your mind.

However, taking a little time to understand your cover before you leave could make a world of difference if something unexpected happens.

Your insurance policy may offer benefits you didn’t even know existed, but it may also contain conditions and exclusions that are important to understand.

Don’t let an unexpected surprise spoil your well-deserved December break.

Make sure you know what you’re covered for, check that everything is in order and, most importantly, enjoy your holiday with the peace of mind that comes from being properly prepared.

After all, December should be about making memories, not worrying about what could go wrong!