Motorhome holidays are enjoying an unprecedented resurgence, with the combined impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis causing more people to seek cheaper and more accessible ways to holiday. There is something undeniably magical about exploring the UK by road, but there is much more to consider than meets the eye when it comes to planning a motorhome holiday. What are five essential ways you should be protecting yourself when travelling?
Insurance
First and foremost, you should be concerned with sorting out a motorhome insurance policy for your vehicle. It is a legal requirement for you to have your motorhome insured before you drive it, to say nothing of the financial protections it grants you in the event of an accident or breakdown. Depending on the length of your trip or size of your motorhome, you might also consider a separate contents insurance policy to protect your possessions.
Legal
Insurance is not the only legal consideration for you to make, either. In order to protect yourself legally, you should also ensure that your driver’s license is valid and covers you to drive in the way you plan to. For newer drivers, licensing laws have changed regarding what weights you can drive and tow; if you plan to combine your motorhome with a trailer, you may need to upgrade your license to do so legally.
Security
Security is an especially important consideration for motorhomes over conventional vehicles. There are more potential points of entry, and they are more attractive to would-be thieves to boot. Given the high likelihood that you will have valuables in the vehicle while you travel, it may be worth investing in some aftermarket security systems – whether internal locks and deadbolts or a battery-powered CCTV system.
Health and Safety
Health and safety is vital to bear in mind, as the protection of yours and your passengers’ health should take precedence during travel. Ensure your motorhome is stocked with a first aid kit for accidents and injuries, and that you have access to basic protections such as water, food and sunscreen.
Emergency
Part and parcel with ensuring your motorhome is safe to travel in, and stocking for the health and safety of its passengers, is preparing for emergency scenarios. Just as keeping a fist aid kit is essential for preserving health and safety in the event of an accident, so too is it vital that you pack emergency kits and tools in preparation for the unexpected.
Something as simple as a blown tyre could become a serious matter, depending on where it occurs; having the equipment to deal with it, from maintenance tools to blankets and non-perishable foodstuffs for long delays, is key. In the same vein, you might keep battery backups for devices, and a satellite phone for out-of-range rural areas.
