Considering a road trip through Ireland this year? From planning to packing, read more about staying safe & protected on the open road with FBD Insurance’s top 3 tips.
#AD. In the interest of disclosure and transparency, the syndication of this article has been provided and paid for by FBD Insurance.
If you’re thinking about taking a road trip through Ireland this year, FBD Insurance have got three top tips to keep you safe and protected while on the open road!
1. Plan ahead
For some people, the best part of a holiday is the planning: it’s a lot of fun plotting out the best route, finding lovely places to stay, and researching cool things to do. A good starting point is this complete guide to planning the perfect trip to Ireland. If you’re looking for inspiration for where to go touring, Lonely Planet has a great list of the top ten road trips in Ireland, from the Beara Peninsula in the south to the Causeway Coast in the north (www.lonelyplanet.com).
Bear in mind the quality of the roads you’ll be driving on can change significantly depending on where you are: if you’re thinking of renting a car, speak to the sales person about the best choice for the time of the year, the terrain you’ll be crossing, and how much luggage you’ll be carrying.
You’ll also want to make sure you’ve got a full fuel tank or battery charge, and your tyres, brake pads and oil levels are all good to go. Make sure your car is up to date with its servicing schedule and don’t forget to check your windscreen wipers too – even in the summer, the odd rainy afternoon is to be expected.
2. Pack more than a picnic
The great thing about taking a road trip is that there’s no such thing as luggage allowances: as long as it all fits in the boot or back seat, you can take everything with you – from the pair of high heels you’ll never wear, to the box of Barry’s Tea you never leave home without. There’s plenty of room too for chargers to keep your mobile phone, tablet or laptop in tip-top condition for communication and navigation. Just make sure you leave them with your passenger, so you can concentrate on driving.
It pays to devote a little of that space to safety precautions as well. Before you set off, make sure you’ve packed masks and hand sanitiser, as well as a well-stocked first aid box and a car breakdown kit with a hazard warning triangle, booster cables and a reflective vest to keep you safe.
Torches and blankets are always a good idea, as are a couple of bottles of water just in case you have to wait for help.
3. Make sure you’re covered
Insurance is about much more than paperwork – it’s the peace of mind you get knowing that you’re prepared should the worst happen. No matter how careful we are, accidents can happen, whether it’s a scuffed bumper on a country road or a turned ankle on a hike.
Before you set off, make sure your car, health and travel insurance is up to date. If you can, store your policy documents securely on your phone so you can access them in case of emergency.
Make sure to check the cover you have in place including your benefits and optional extras to make sure you have the comforts you need. FBD’s comprehensive car insurance allows you to add optional extras that means a hiccup with your car doesn’t have to mean the end of your holiday. Find a quote now.
I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland and now I’m gonna have to push it up on my list. I love this post shows the value of taking a road trip vs regular flights or public transportation.