Travel with Peace of Mind!

You did it! You finally chose your destination and booked your trip. You are waiting impatiently for your departure date and shopping for bathing suits online. You prepare a list to ensure that you don’t forget anything: sunscreen, bug spray, shampoo, and, of course, passports. The babysitter has been booked, and you bought travel insurance. Excellent, you haven’t forgotten anything! Or so you think…

The question that often comes up: Why do we need travel insurance?

You have probably asked yourself, “Does my home insurance policy cover my property even when I am on vacation?”

The answer is yes, of course. However, the policy includes a deductible that is usually between $500 and $1000, so unless you bring high-value items with you, the claim will likely be too small to be worth it.

Travel insurance provides more complete coverage. It covers loss of luggage, as well as health insurance for your destination. Travel medical insurance covers costs not included in your health plan. It includes expenses incurred if you are in an accident or receive emergency care. You can also add trip cancellation coverage, which can be used if your trip is cancelled or even interrupted for any reason. By purchasing a travel insurance policy, you will avoid making claims through your home insurance policy, which would, as a result, lead to an increase in your premium upon renewal.

Social media management

3… 2… 1… Liftoff!

Now that it’s real, you are officially on vacation. At this point, you start posting selfies on the beach and sharing content with your beloved followers on Instagram and Facebook.

OOPS! One might say you just told the entire world that your home is empty for a week and ready to be robbed by neighbourhood thieves. Please be careful about the photos and posts you put up online, because they reveal a great deal about your private life. Avoid the risk by posting your nicest pictures when you return home.

In line with being more vigilant, think about adopting safer practices when using social media. For example, ensure that your profiles are private and adjust your security settings so that only your friends can see your content. That way, you will keep your profile safe from prying eyes.

Things to add to your list

There are also some preventative measures you can take before leaving to avoid damage that could occur during your trip.

• Ask a neighbour whom you trust to keep an eye on your home.
• Ask a friend or family member to make sure that everything is normal inside your home.
• Ask a neighbour to remove the snow from your walkway, as needed, so that the mail carrier can safely make deliveries. Your neighbour can also take in your mail and Publisacs if your trip is long, to make it seem as though someone is home.
• Think about installing timers on your indoor and outdoor lights to make it seem as though there is activity in your home.
• If you choose to leave your car in your driveway, ask a neighbour to move it from time to time.

For more information on the measures to take when going on vacation, see my colleague Lori-Ann’s blog post.

Enjoy your vacation, and above all, be safe!