Plan ahead for holiday success

Is it time to plan a holiday? As travel opens up around the country, senior citizens are in pole position to enjoy a change of scenery. Retirement means your days are your own, you’re not restricted by work schedules, school holidays or annual leave, so you can travel whenever and wherever you choose. After all, you’ve worked hard all your life, you’ve earned the right to enjoy yourself!

Whether you’re a cruiser, a caravanner, a jetsetter or a road-tripper, there are some essentials to tick off before you go. To help, we’ve put together a pre-holiday checklist so you can relax and enjoy your trip safe in the knowledge that everything’s taken care of. 

Put it on your list

Success is in the planning, and when it comes to holidays, making ‘to-do’ and ‘to-pack’ lists is one of the best ways to ensure nothing gets left behind or left to the last minute. List the items you can’t leave home without. Things like medications, your Medicare card and any personal or travel insurance details are good to have close to hand should you need them while you’re away. 

A printed copy of your itinerary and accommodation is also handy or keep a photo of it on your phone so you can readily access important information such as hotel transfer details, the address for your accommodation or other contact numbers you’ll need when you arrive at your destination.

Tick off your health checks

If you’ve been putting off your regular health checks, use your holiday as a deadline to get up to date. Book in with your GP and dentist for a check-up and get any little issues seen to, so you can enjoy your holiday without the hassle of finding a medical centre or emergency dentist in an unfamiliar place. 

If you wear glasses you might consider having an eye test before your holiday to see if you need to change your prescription, especially if you’re going to be doing a lot of driving. 

For any medications you take, have an additional script filled so you have a spare if you run out or leave it behind in a hotel.

Get your vehicle road-trip ready

If you’re planning a road trip, make sure your rego and insurance are up to date before you go. 

Top up your windscreen washer fluid, check your oil and tyre pressure and clean your windows. If you have a caravan, check its tyres and brake lights too, and make sure all your towing equipment is in good condition. Ensure your car insurance is up to date and your caravan is covered, too.

If it’s been a while between services, consider booking your car in for a service before you go to ensure your brakes and tyres are up to the trip and everything is working as it should be. 

Secure your home 

Before you head off, make sure your home is secure so you can enjoy your holiday feeling assured that everything will be just as you left it when you get home. Make sure your windows and doors are locked before you go, as well as any side or back gates. Put away any valuable items that might tempt prying eyes through windows and tilt your blinds for privacy if you have them. 

Ask a trusted neighbour to collect your mail so it doesn’t build up while you’re away and ask them to park in your driveway to make it look like someone is at home. Another way to make your home look lived-in is to use timers to turn lamps on and off in the evenings. You can find appliance timers at hardware stores and in some supermarket chains. 

Cover yourself for travel 

Travel is full of amazing experiences, but even the best laid plans can sometimes go awry so make sure you have travel insurance. If you’re from SA, QLD, WA, NSW, ACT or TAS, NRMA Insurance offers several types of travel insurance to protect you while you’re away. 

If you find yourself in need of help while travelling in Australia, our domestic travel insurance plans give you a choice of cover for cancellations, luggage, personal effects and more. We’re also here to help with emergency assistance if you need it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To find out more, call us on 132 132 or visit us online to get a quote. 

You’re all set. All that’s left to do now is relax and enjoy your break. Safe travels!