The One Thing You Should Never Travel Without

We all love to travel, and half the fun is in the planning. Scrolling for holiday inspiration, refreshing your wardrobe and daydreaming about what you’ll do when you get there. But there’s also a practical side, and a key part of your holiday prep is making sure you have all of the essential documents you’ll need. And if there's one thing that needs to be on that list long before takeoff, it's travel insurance. Because while you’re busy enjoying the fun stuff, having adequate cover in place could be the thing that saves your trip if something goes wrong.

Here's why you should never go abroad without it, along with a handy pre-travel essentials guide.

Why Insurance Is A Travel Essential.

Let’s be honest, travel insurance isn’t glamorous or exciting. But it is one of the most important things you can pack for your trip, because it covers all the things you can’t pack for, such as flight delays, lost luggage, fog (we've all been there!), last minute cancellations and emergency hospital visits abroad.

The potential cost of these issues could be anything from the price of an overnight stay in an airport hotel to an eye-watering medical bill. So be prepared. A decent policy doesn’t have to cost much. It's a fraction of the overall cost of your holiday and it can cover a whole range of things, from lost or stolen valuables to medical expenses.

What Your Policy Looks Like.

Heading off for a week of luxury in the South of France? That’s different to a backpacking trip in the Far East or a holiday skiing in the Alps. So make sure your policy provides the right cover to suit your plans. And here’s the most important part. Take out your policy before you travel.

Ideally, you should take out insurance as soon as you book your trip, or put an annual policy in place if you have multiple trips planned. That way, if anything unexpected crops up between now and takeoff, you're already covered. It doesn’t take long. Speak to a travel insurance expert, who will be happy to provide a quote that is right for you.

Your Pre-Travel Essentials Checklist

Now that you’ve got travel insurance ticked off your list, make sure these essentials are covered too.

1. Passport.

It sounds obvious but it’s surprisingly easy to overlook, and no one wants to have to make a last minute dash home from the airport or harbour to pick it up. Also, it’s not just the expiry date on your passport you need to think about. You also need to factor in entry requirements for your destination country. For example, if you’re travelling to France with a British passport it must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the country. Some countries have a 6 month ‘expiry date rule’. You can find out more here.

2. Visa.

Even if you’re expecting a five star reception when you get to your ultimate destination, don’t assume that border control will roll out the red carpet. Quite a few countries require you to apply for a visa in advance of your trip. Others might offer a visa on arrival, but even then, you may need to have specific documents or photos to hand. Look it up early so you have all the necessary requirements in place and you're not scrambling to sort out the paperwork at the last minute.

3. Emergency Access to Money.

It’s easy to assume your phone will handle all things financial, but a lost or dead phone can leave you stuck and not every destination accepts Apple or Google Pay. So it makes sense to have a backup. Take at least one physical card and consider carrying a bit of local cash too, for taxis and tips or cafés and market stalls that still only take cash.

4. Health Info.

Some destinations require vaccines, like Cholera or Hepatitis A & B vaccinations. Or travel medication like Malaria tablets. Check well in advance, because some of these things need to be done weeks before departure to be effective, and some countries may want to see proof before you’re allowed in. And if you need to take medication with you, make sure you pack enough for your trip and pack it in your hand luggage, just in case your suitcase goes missing.

5. Travel Plans and Confirmations.

It’s all well and good having everything saved on your phone, until your battery dies or you lose your signal. So keep digital and physical copies of your flight details, accommodation bookings, and any tickets or reservations you’ve made. That way, even if your phone dies or the WiFi is dodgy, you still have all the info you need to hand.

6. Mobile Data.

Roaming charges can be eye-watering if you’re not prepared. Guernsey mobile options are limited, but it's worth checking your provider’s travel options and, if possible, signing up for a data roaming booster or an eSIM before you go.

7. Document Copies.

Make photocopies or digital backups of important documents such as your passport, visa, insurance, and anything else official. Save them to the cloud or email them to yourself. That way if you lose the originals, you'll have quick access to copies, which can make all the difference and help you sort things out faster.

8. Travel Insurance.

Yes, we know we’ve covered this one but it’s worth repeating. Get your travel insurance sorted. It isn’t optional, it’s essential.