Top tips for a hitch-free summer holiday

With the summer season now in full swing, and many Brits planning a UK getaway to enjoy the English sunshine, it is essential to have the right insurances in place to avoid any potential mishaps. The UK's leading price comparison site moneysupermarket.com offers the following top insurance tips for a hitch-free summer getaway.

Travel Insurance

A recent survey by moneysupermarket.com reveals almost half of people (48 per cent) would not insure themselves for a holiday in the UK, but travel insurance is an important consideration whether you are holidaying at home or abroad. Policies start from as little as £9 with Insurewithease for a family of four holidaying for a week in the UK, offering peace of mind in terms of cancellation cover, baggage cover and personal liability.

Camping insurance

Happy campers need to ensure all their kit is covered too. Stand alone camping cover is available from £16 a year with E&L Insurance and covers equipment valued up to £10,000.

Maxine Baker, travel insurance manager at moneysupermarket.com said: "We are all looking to cut down our outgoings at the moment, but forgoing travel insurance could be a costly false economy. You never know what is waiting around the corner to spoil your break away, but having travel insurance in place means safeguarding yourself and your family for a stress-free break. Covering expensive camping equipment is an important consideration too.

"Tents can be left unguarded for hours at a time, so it's unwise to leave valuables lying around. Many home insurance policies will cover you for possessions away from home however it is worth checking with your provider to find out the terms and conditions."

Breakdown cover

Motor-loving Brits hitting the roads on a quick and easy get-away this year may find breakdown cover is a must to ensure a smooth ride. It is important not only to choose a competitive policy but also one that has the benefits that meet their needs. For example, people should check for added extras such as caravan cover, roadside assistance or a courtesy car should they want or need them. As well as this, call out times also need to be considered - current averages range from up to 30 minutes to one hour for the UK. Policies for the UK are available from as little as £28 a year with RescueMyCar.com.

Caravan cover

Holiday lovers who are planning to take their mobile home away with them this summer can insure their caravan for as little as £100 a year with E&L Insurance. This will offer protection of up to £1,250,000 public liability, £15,000 personal accident and driver cover - a must for caravan enthusiasts.

Steve Sweeney, head of motor insurance at moneysupermarket.com said: "With the range of policies on offer, and competitive costs available, there really is no excuse for motorists not to take out breakdown cover. Many of us will be hitting the roads this year and it is essential to consider your options before getting behind the wheel. We don't realise how much we depend on our cars until a breakdown happens, and not having adequate protection in place could mean your summer holiday goes down with a bang.

"You need to insure your caravan as you would your car, and some breakdown policies will include this cover as standard. If this is not the case, taking out separate insurance is a must as in the event that something happens to it or the driver then it is essential you have all the safeguards in place."

Bicycle cover

Action packed Brits planning to get in the saddle while enjoying a break away in the UK need to consider insurance for their bicycles. Most home insurance policies offer this as an add-on to your policy and this could cost as little as £16 with Bank of Scotland. Alternatively, if your bike is a particularly expensive model, a stand alone policy will offer more comprehensive protection. Insurance starts from £56 a year with AUA Insurance and would cover you for theft, loss and accidental damage, as well as up to £1,000,000 personal liability and £25,000 of legal expenses.

Steve Sweeney continued: "Insuring your bike is crucial and not something cycle enthusiasts should go without. Adding a bike onto your home contents insurance is a cost effective option, but if you are unsure of the procedure, or have any queries on the level of cover offered, it's worth double checking directly with your provider."