Road tripping Ireland - Staying safe & protected on your adventure

As the largest Irish-owned insurer in the country, we know we’re lucky to be based in such a beautiful part of the world. The last two years have helped us see our small island with fresh eyes again, and we’ve realised that our picturesque countryside and dramatic coastlines are every bit as enjoyable as French vineyards and Spanish beaches.

If you’re thinking about taking a road trip through Ireland this year, we’ve got three top tips to keep you safe and protected on the open road.

1. Plan ahead

For some people, the best part of a holiday is the planning: it’s a lot of fun plotting out the best route, finding lovely places to stay, and researching cool things to do. If you’re looking for inspiration, Lonely Planet has a great list of the top ten road trips in Ireland, from the Beara Peninsula in the south to the Causeway Coast in the north (www.lonelyplanet.com). Bear in mind the quality of the roads you’ll be driving on can change significantly depending on where you are: if you’re thinking of renting a car, speak to the sales person about the best choice for the time of the year, the terrain you’ll be crossing, and how much luggage you’ll be carrying.

You’ll also want to make sure you’ve got a full fuel tank or battery charge, and your tyres, brake pads and oil levels are all good to go. Make sure your car is up to date with its servicing schedule and don’t forget to check your windscreen wipers too – even in the summer, the odd rainy afternoon is to be expected.

2. Pack more than a picnic

The great thing about taking a road trip is that there’s no such thing as luggage allowances: as long as it all fits in the boot or back seat, you can take everything with you – from the pair of high heels you’ll never wear, to the box of Barry’s Tea you never leave home without. There’s plenty of room too for chargers to keep your mobile phone, tablet or laptop in tip-top condition for communication and navigation. Just make sure you leave them with your passenger, so you can concentrate on driving.

It pays to devote a little of that space to safety precautions as well. Before you set off, make sure you’ve packed masks and hand sanitiser, as well as a well-stocked first aid box and a car breakdown kit with a hazard warning triangle, booster cables and a reflective vest to keep you safe.

Torches and blankets are always a good idea, as are a couple of bottles of water just in case you have to wait for help. At FBD, our Car Emergency Assistance advisors are available 24 hours a day to take details of your claim and advise you on what do next – we’ll be there when you need us most.

3. Make sure you’re covered

Insurance is about much more than paperwork – it’s the peace of mind you get knowing that you’re prepared should the worst happen. No matter how careful we are, accidents can happen, whether it’s a scuffed bumper on a country road or a turned ankle on a hike.

Before you set off, make sure your car, health and travel insurance is up to date. If you can, store your policy documents securely on your phone so you can access them in case of emergency.

Make sure to check the car insurance cover you have in place including your benefits and optional extras to make sure you have the comforts you need. FBD’s comprehensive CarProtect insurance allows you to add optional extras like Car Breakdown Assistance or Comprehensive driving of other cars. If you already have an FBD comprehensive CarProtect policy, a hiccup with your car doesn’t have to mean the end of your holiday – we’ll provide you with a courtesy car for up to 10 days, so you can get right back on that open road, making memories you’ll never forget.