You’ve saved up for months, booked your next adventure and now you’re just counting down the days until you depart. Before you decide you’re ready to go, make sure you’ve thought about these four things. You’ll thank us later!
Consider insurance
Did you think about travel insurance when you initially booked your trip? If you want to consider getting protection you still have time before you travel. There are different levels of cover to choose from, to suit different trips and budget. You may just want basic cover to insure your luggage or comprehensive cover for a skiing holiday instead.
If you’re considering taking out cover, think about the cost of your trip and the destination when comparing policies, and always consider the worse case scenario. If you end up needing hospital treatment, will the policy you’re purchasing help you cover the costs?
Make sure you have read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the insurance policy before you purchase, so that you understand any eligibility requirements or conditions. Some policies don’t automatically include rental vehicle cover, while others will require you to specify the activities you want to be covered for (such as snow sports or scuba diving). Take your time when comparing and ensure you get the right cover for your needs and holiday.
Get protected
If you are heading off to somewhere exotic, have you checked the health advice? You may need to get protected against diseases and illnesses that aren’t common here in Australia, or you may need to take specific medication with you on your trip.
Make an appointment with your GP or a dedicated travel clinic and get any vaccinations you need. These usually need to be done at least eight weeks before your departure, but it’s best to speak to a medical professional as soon as you’ve booked so they can advise you of the best course of action.
Of course, you can always do your own research and the Smartraveller website is a great resource for any traveller. It’s constantly updated to provide the most accurate medical and security information for travellers leaving Australia for any country in the world. You can find out about visa and passport requirements on the site too.
Pack the right things
This one may seem obvious, but we don’t just mean clothes and toiletries. It’s a good idea to make copies of your important documents (like your passport, reservation details and any travel insurance) and pack them separately to the originals. You may also want to leave copies with a family member or trusted friend in case of an emergency.
Not seeing your luggage on the carousel after a long-haul flight is every traveller’s nightmare. There are many reasons why a bag may not arrive with you, but there are a couple of things you can do that can help make finding a lost bag easier. Firstly, attach your name and contact details to the bag and make sure you pack this information inside the bag too. This way, if the outer tag is damaged or removed, your details will still be with the luggage. Secondly, take a photograph of the outside of your case or bag. Being able to be specific about the item’s appearance will help when lodging a lost luggage report – there are a lot of black suitcases in the world after all!
Top tip! You may also find it useful to take a photo of the inside of your packed case. That way you won’t forget about any items if making an insurance claim – plus, it can be used to help lodge your claim.
Sort out your funds
Everyone has their preferred way to deal with money when overseas. Whether you like having cash or a currency card, there are different options available for you to choose from.
It’s important to remember to notify your bank and/or card issuer when you’ll be outside of Australia. Doing so will reduce the chance of your foreign transactions being flagged as fraudulent and access to your account restricted.
P&N Bank customers can let us know of their travel dates and destination by using Secure Mail in Internet Banking or using the overseas travel feature in our mobile app. Alternatively, you can visit a branch or call our contact centre to ask a team member to record your trip on our system. It is also a good idea to change your Second Factor Authentication for internet banking from text message to secure password in case you’re unable to receive texts while overseas.
Top tip! If you’re taking your debit or credit card with you, make sure you know your PIN. With ‘tap and go’ payments commonplace here in WA, it could be a while since you’ve had to use it – and you don’t want to encounter any issues when withdrawing money or paying for something in a foreign country!
If you need travel insurance for an upcoming international trip, we can help. Get a quote online or speak to our friendly team over the phone or in-branch.
Police & Nurses Limited (P&N Bank) ABN 69 087 651 876 AFSL 240701 acts under its own AFSL and under an agreement with the issuer Insurance Australia Limited trading as CGU Insurance ABN 11 000 016 722, AFSL 227681. Any advice provided is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs (“your personal circumstances”). Before using this advice to decide whether to purchase a product, you should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations.