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Car Insurance Travel Insurance

Driving in the desert: what you need to know

If you are driving in the UAE, and have an off-road vehicle, you may, at some point, want to drive in the desert. Here’s what you need to know if you are planning to drive in the desert.

Make sure that you are covered

A lot of general travel insurance doesn’t cover off-road insurance, although if your car is an off-road vehicle (and it should be if you’re considering driving in the desert!), you may find that it is an easy add-on.

However, some off-road cover has restrictions, considering the cars’ general capabilities and things like its age, the miles that it has travelled, etc. If the car has been previously damaged, it may not be applicable for automobile insurance.

Basically, have a thorough read of your car insurance policy, and if you don’t understand anything, contact your insurance provider and get them to go through it with you.

Make sure that your car is in good shape

Your car insurance provider may require a recent service in order to insure it. This is because they want to be sure that it won’t break down in the desert. Even if they don’t, it’s definitely a good idea to get your car serviced before heading out – you don’t want to break down either, do you?

Stock up on essentials

When driving in the desert, you’ll need to make sure that you have enough petrol, water and food to help you out of any emergencies. You may drive long stretches with no petrol stations, so make sure that you have plenty of fuel to keep going. If your car breaks down, you’ll be thankful for the food and water! Also, try to make sure that your phone has the best coverage possible, or opt for a satellite phone for emergencies.

Learn basic repairs

Being able to inflate and deflate your tires, check your water and oil levels, and perform other basic repairs could be a game-changer if you get stuck anywhere. Before heading out in the desert, make sure that you have an idea of how to sort out small things in your car.

Driving in the desert is great fun, but it’s not without its risks. Follow all of the advice above for a hassle-free trip!

Categories
Travel Insurance

3 surprising reasons why foodie-travellers need travel insurance

The prospect of enjoying foreign cuisine for a week or two is often a major reason why people choose to go abroad. Unfortunately, eating during your vacation is nowhere near as safe as when you’re eating at home. In fact, your new dining habits could actually make you ill on holiday – which is just one of the reasons why you need travel insurance. Let’s take a look at how what you eat – and don’t eat – could have an effect on your health when you’re on holiday.

Appetite

You’re actually more likely to lose your appetite when you’re on holiday – even when faced with some delicious delights. The pattern of travelling, adjusting to a new time-zone and adapting to different weather can cause appetite-quelling gastrointestinal issues. This can make you feel poorly in itself, but the real strain on your body occurs when it is deprived of the energy that comes from food. You’ll ultimately end up with a weaker immune system that makes you more susceptible to illness.

Over-eating

If you don’t lose your appetite you might well find that you can’t quite control what you eat. After all, you’re on holiday – who cares how much you have for dinner? Unfortunately, if you eat more than you usually would you could develop health problems as a result. This is largely down to the fact that there will be increased blood flow to your intestines, meaning other body parts – such as the brain – can only access a reduced amount. This could make you become lethargic and reduce your body’s ability to defend itself against illness.

Shock

You can inadvertently shock your body when you switch up your dining habits. This is particularly true when the food you’re eating is sourced and prepared differently to what you’re used to at home. You could feel under the weather and perhaps suffer from digestive issues. Over time this might escalate further, increasing your chances of developing further illnesses while you’re on holiday.

Be safe

It’s not a question of avoiding going abroad in case you fall ill. Instead, it’s just about making sure you’re covered in the event that you do require medical assistance. Therefore, before you go away you should be sure to find a cheap travel insurance quote by visiting Compare Insurance.