As the nights begin to lighten and the flowers begin to bloom, you might be thinking of summer. For most of us, last year’s getaway plans were scuppered, but as the vaccine rolls out, there’s high hopes for 2021 holidays. With things still relatively uncertain, there are some ways you can plan and protect your holiday and the first easy step starts with car insurance quotes online.
Book a package holiday
If you normally book your travel separate to your accommodation, then you might want to reconsider. As we saw last year, countries were added and removed from the travel corridors with not much warning, and this led to many Brits either being left without accommodation or out of pocket because flights were going ahead, but their actual holiday plans had been cancelled.
However, when you book a package holiday, if one element is cancelled the whole holiday is cancelled and you should be refunded, leaving you with a bit more protection should the worst happen.
Pay by credit card
While saving up for your holiday is prudent, when it comes to booking you should consider how you will pay for it and pay the balance off in manageable instalments. Buying your holiday using a credit card gives you the benefit of protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
The protection applies even if you’ve only made a part-payment on the credit card – a deposit, for example. It won’t apply if you pay by debit card.
Opt for a staycation
As many families discovered last year, there are no shortage of holiday destinations in the UK – and if you’re desperate for a holiday, a staycation might be your safest bet. While we don’t know if there will be any long-term tier restrictions come the summer, your domestic holiday is far more likely to go ahead compared with a foreign one.
Whether you prefer luxurious spa retreats, city breaks, pub accommodation in North Yorkshire or camping by the coast, there is a UK staycation out there to suit just about every taste and budget.
Holiday last minute
If you have the flexibility to book last-minute, it could help reduce the risk of your plans being cancelled. Waiting to book will give you the greatest chance of ensuring your chosen destination is open to tourists, and you may find you can grab a last-minute bargain.
Of course, domestic and international travel is changing at lightning speed in this pandemic, and even within a few days things could change – but you’ll be in a much better position to make an informed decision about the best destination to pick.
Invest in insurance
Statistics show that 8.6 million holidaymakers travel without insurance, and with so many insurers changing their policies as a result of the pandemic, it’s important to shop around for adequate travel cover. The important thing is to note whether a policy just covers medical cover if you contract the virus while on holiday, or whether it also covers you in the event that you need to cancel your trip because you test positive before you go or are told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.