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Looking along a stretch of country road in Ireland

Road Tripping Ireland

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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.

It's good to share

#AD. In the interest of disclosure and transparency, the syndication of this article has been provided and paid for by FBD Insurance.

Looking along a stretch of country road in Ireland

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.

Sheep with horns stood on the roadside on a country road in Ireland

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.

Country road in Ireland, with a conical mountain behind

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.

Children of Wanderlust Administrator
We are Rachel & John, parents from the UK with 4 small children. After persuing separate jobs for many years, including being an experienced science teacher, we have now moved to Spain for a fresh challenge. We have always had a passion for travel and exploration. Nowadays, that means bringing our 4 children, Savannah (9), Aurora (7), Easton (5) and Tiago (3) along with us. This oftens means taking a road trip in our beloved vintage camper, touring all corners of Europe and Morocco. We hope that you enjoy reading about our family adventures all over the world.

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