Dial Direct's Tips For The Upcoming Holidays

As we finally start to enjoy the hot summer, the inevitable holiday plans begin as we plan for the Festive Season and embark on our annual holiday. However, sometimes we seem to forget that although a holiday seems wonderful, there are other important factors that need to be considered, such as the safety of our homes while you are on holiday, or whether one is completely prepared for one's trip by ensuring that your vehicle has been serviced and is safe to drive. In light of the increase in deaths on SA's roads over the last few years, insuring your vehicle, even your caravan or trailer, is now more important than ever.

Dial Direct Insurance, specialising in motor and household insurance, have created a few helpful hints and tips to consider so you may enjoy a safe journey and return to an undisturbed home. Keep in mind as well, to always have the number and details of your insurance company handy wherever you are.

Says Lenerd Louw , Director of Dial Direct Insurance, "When driving to your holiday destination, it's important that you are completely insured for all eventualities. The roads are busy and people tend to be in a hurry to start the holidays so unforeseen, and often disastrous, events may occur. The correct motor insurance should provide medical assistance should you and your family have an accident. Dial Direct's product, for instance, includes both medical as well as roadside assistance, which will assist in getting you back on the road again in the event of a breakdown."

However, should you be in an accident, consider the following:

• Contact the police immediately.
• f the accident only involves minor property damage, exchange personal and insurance information with the other driver and then report the matter to the police within 24 hours.
• Always carry proof of insurance with you.
• Also, it's a good idea to prepare a first-aid kit and carry essential medications on any trip

Once you have reached your holiday destination, knowing that things are in order back home will give you peace of mind and allow you to fully enjoy your holiday. Here are a few helpful tips to ensure that your property and household contents are looked after:

If possible get someone you know and trust to housesit while you are away. If this is not possible then try and arrange for someone to look in on your home from time to time - and never at the same time every day.

• Cancel mail subscriptions for the period that you are away and arrange for a friend or neighbour to pick up normal post on a regular basis - mail piling up is a neon sign for would-be criminals.
• Leave lights on within the home - these days it is possible to purchase a timer which automatically switches different lights on and off at times like dawn and dusk. This gives the impression to the outside that someone is turning the lights on and off.
• Inform your armed response company of any travel arrangements and whether anyone will be staying on your property or visiting it. This is important because any movement noticed will be marked as irregular if they know no one is supposed to be there.
• Make sure all your household goods are properly insured according to their replacement value. This will ensure that, in the event of a burglary, all items will be covered and replaced.
• Always check that the water supply to your home is turned off to ensure that should a pipe or geyser burst, you don't return to a flooded house.
• Certain insurance companies, including Dial Direct, offer Home Assist, where for example, plumbers and electricians can be called in should circumstances require it. Often, your insurance will cover the call-out costs and the first hour of labour.

"In the excitement of taking a well deserved rest at the end of the year, insurance is not a fun topic to discuss or think about, yet it is important for the well-fare of you and your family. It is comforting to think that nothing will ever happen to you and that you are invincible. But, the odds are that you are likely to be involved in a car accident or have some type of breakdown or burglary at some point in your life, and when that happens, you will want to have insurance. If you have not insured your property or home contents, Dial Direct can provide immediate cover with no waiting period to provide you with peace of mind," concludes Louw.