4 min read
11th June 2019

Student Travel—Safety Advice

Photo by Oleg Magni from Pexels
group on beach

Travelling is an exciting adventure and can broaden your mind as well as enrich your life, and with a few simple precautions can be a relatively safe experience.

Make sure you have adequate travel insurance, which includes emergency medical & repatriation cover, in place before you travel anywhere.

For more information on student travel insurance UK products please click here.

Safety whilst you are travelling.

Certain measures can be taken to protect you and your possessions, on the journey to your destination. Even the smallest thing can have a great effect.

  1. Be Sure To Insure Your Items — Items such as jewellery and mobile phones should be insured ‘all risks’ when travelling aboard. That way damage to your items of importance will be covered. You should check with your home insurer to see if these items are covered.
  2. Hand Luggage — Although in general, airlines restrict you to 1 item of hand luggage, be sure to use that to your advantage. Keep items such as cameras, cash, passports and jewellery with you at all times, that way you can secure the items for the duration of your journey.
  3. Additional Locks And Security Tips — A tiny padlock on the suitcase can be prized open, why not double up on locks to help deter thieves.
  4. Further Suitcase Protection — Putting a belt or strap around your suitcase can prevent the case from bursting open. Even a small piece of material attached to your suitcase can help you identify it quickly and easily.
  5. Unnecessary Information — Try to avoid putting your full home address on luggage when travelling, if found on departure it could people to believe that your property is unattended.
  6. Never Leave Bags Unattended — When caught up in the excitement of the holiday, naivety can sometimes kick in. Be sure when in transit to your destination, never leave your bags unattended or out of sight.
  7. Be Prepared — Leave plenty of time to get to the airport and check in, people who are rushing can make mistakes and the mistake could result in items being lost, stolen or damaged due to a lack of security.
  8. Travel Document checks — Check all passports, visas and health requirements are up to date, give you an easy time by being fully prepared.
  9. Medical Requirements — If you require any medication be sure to take enough to last you for the period of time you are staying for, also take a spare supply in a separate bag in case you lose your original supply.

For more information on student travel insurance Ireland products
please click here.

Safety at your holiday destination.

You have arrived at your holiday destination, now before you sit back and relax there are just a few small and quick precautions you should take to protect yourself and your items whilst on holiday.

  1. Make Use Of Hotel Security — Most hotels abroad will have suitable security to assist you inside your room. Using the safety deposit box for a small fee can protect valuables such as money, passports and travel documents. This could save you claiming on your travel insurance.
  2. Additional Protection — You could improve your door security by taking a portable door lock, this can secure the room both when you are asleep and out and about. Also, a portable door alarm attached to the door which when the door opens activates is also helpful to have to keep you alerted when in the bathroom, or on the balcony.
  3. Pickpockets — Be careful of leaving your bags exposed when eating in a restaurant or on day trips. Pickpockets operate in holiday areas and it is always important to be aware.
  4. Tap Water — Check the tap water is safe to drink unless you know it’s safe, stick to drinking bottled water. Also avoid having ice in your drinks, or consuming cold foods, like salads, which may have been washed in tap water.
  5. Think Before You Swim — Check the depth of the water in the swimming pools and the sea before you jump or dive into the water, never enter the water when consuming alcohol, you are putting yourself and others at risk
  6. Be Cautious About The Sun — The sun abroad can be much more powerful than you think particularly if you are in the water. To prevent sunburn and sunstroke use high factor sun cream and try and be sure to occasionally rest out of the sun in shaded areas to cool down and rehydrate.
  7. Simple First Aid — Knowledge on simple first aid procedures can both assist yourself and others and can save time in the event of an accident. Why not research these procedures before going on holiday
  8. Beware Of Con Artists — When walking around your holiday destination you will come across locals taking pictures of you and your family in front of monuments and asking for a fee in order to purchase these photos. Be aware these people are legitimate and don’t claim to email the photos through that evening when you have already paid. As they will keep your money, with no photos produced to yourself.
  9. Use the Rep Wisely — Holiday reps are there to help and assist you, believe it or not protecting and educating you is their job. Do not be afraid to ask questions such as places to eat, places to walk, things to avoid and general questions about the surroundings.
  10. Research To Save Money And Time — Before going on holiday why not research the area and get to understand the surroundings. Tips on prices of day trips and best places to eat can save you time and money.

For more information on student travel insurance UK/Ireland products
please click here.

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