Personal Responsibility and Commitment to Your journey

Insure your time away

Responsible travel is more than simply remembering to lock the door; it is about planning for possible scenarios and making sure you have a few different options if you need them. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to take out travel insurance. With a well chosen plan you can travel safe in the knowledge that in the event of an accident, stolen goods or problems with transport or the travel agent, you are entitled to help and support and the opportunity to claim money back where appropriate.

Although this is all good, the key to travelling responsibly is reading the small print. This is both time consuming and some distance away from the fun you may have had in mind when booking your holiday. However, read the terms and conditions and you'll have a much better idea about what you are entitled to and what you must do in the event of a problem.

Choose wisely and decide whether you want a single trip insurance policy or a multi-trip policy. Consider what unforeseen circumstances you will and won't be covered for and you'll find both peace of mind and security. For instance, on skiing holidays you may want to protect you and your family in the event of any accident or injury. With the right insurance you will have access to medical care when abroad and appropriate support for travel arrangements if you need to get home. Look carefully at how the policy covers you on skiing holidays.

Plan and protect

Winter sport holidays, like any other type of holiday, will involve an element of the unknown and it is for this reason that it is important to consider as many aspects of your journey as possible. Start with an organised approach to packing, taking care to pack essentials such as a first aid kit and passports. Think about the contact numbers of people you may need in an emergency and the details of where you are staying.

Ensure you leave a copy of your travel arrangements with a friend or family member and provide a contact phone number for emergencies. Take care to read up on where you are staying and the rules and laws of the culture you are visiting. Some countries will expect you to wear certain things or behave in a different way and it's essential to know this before you arrive.

In essence, the more you know the more prepared you will be and the quicker you will relax in a foreign climate. Taking a responsible approach to your travels may mean a little extra work, but in the long run it will make for a much more enjoyable time away, with no fuss, no bother and no extra hassles.