For many Guernsey families, the airport is getting busier, suitcases are coming down from the loft and the countdown to a well-earned summer holiday is well underway. Whether you're heading to the Mediterranean, exploring a new city or embarking on the trip of a lifetime, there's plenty to look forward to.
Yet every year, countless travellers run into avoidable problems before they've even packed their suitcase.
With ongoing flight disruption across Europe, rising travel costs and changing entry requirements in some destinations, a little preparation can go a long way.
Here are seven of the most common mistakes holidaymakers make, and how to avoid them.
1. Assuming Your Passport Is Still Valid
Many travellers know they need a valid passport, but fewer realise that some countries require several months' validity beyond your return date.
A passport that looks perfectly in date could still leave you unable to board your flight.
Before you travel, check the passport requirements for your destination on the UK Government's Foreign Travel Advice website. If you need to renew your passport, doing it early can save a lot of unnecessary stress.
2. Leaving Travel Insurance Until the Last Minute
One of the biggest misconceptions is that travel insurance is only needed once you leave for the airport.
In reality, taking out cover as soon as you've booked your holiday can protect you if something unexpected forces you to cancel before you travel.
Whether it's illness, injury or unforeseen circumstances, having insurance in place early can make all the difference.
3. Assuming 'It Won't Happen to Me'
Nobody books a holiday expecting to lose their luggage, miss a connection or need medical treatment overseas.
Yet this summer has already seen airport disruption, flight delays, air traffic control issues and extreme weather affecting popular holiday destinations across Europe.
For Guernsey travellers, where many journeys involve connecting flights, one delay can quickly become several.
Travel insurance isn't about expecting the worst – it's about travelling with confidence if the unexpected happens.
4. Forgetting to Declare Medical Conditions
This is one of the most common reasons travellers discover they aren't properly covered.
Even medical conditions that feel routine or well managed may still need to be declared.
If you're unsure, it's always better to check before you travel than discover there's an issue when you need to make a claim.
5. Choosing a Policy Based on Price Alone
The cheapest policy isn't always the best value.
Instead, look beyond the premium and consider what's actually included. Medical cover, cancellation protection, baggage limits and excesses can vary significantly between policies.
Getting a quote online is quick and convenient for many travellers. However, if your trip is a little more complex – perhaps you're travelling with a medical condition, taking a cruise or planning adventure activities – speaking to an experienced local adviser can help ensure you have the protection that's right for you.
6. Paying for Everything in One Hit
For many families, holidays represent one of the biggest annual expenses.
Flights, accommodation, spending money and excursions can quickly add up.
Planning ahead and spreading the cost responsibly can often make that dream holiday more manageable, without putting unnecessary pressure on your everyday finances.
7. Thinking Travel Insurance Is 'One Size Fits All'
No two holidays are the same.
Whether you're heading on a cruise, travelling with children, planning adventure activities or have a pre-existing medical condition, it's important to make sure your cover matches your trip.
Getting a travel insurance quote online is quick and easy, but if your plans are a little more complex, our friendly Guernsey team is always on hand to help you choose the cover that's right for you.
Travel With Confidence
At Cherry Godfrey, we've been helping islanders protect what matters most for over 33 years.
Whether you're heading away for a weekend city break, a family holiday in the sun or the adventure of a lifetime, you can get a travel insurance quote online in just a few minutes.
And if you're looking to spread the cost of your holiday, our flexible finance options can help make those travel plans more manageable too. Together, our travel insurance and holiday finance solutions are designed to help you travel with greater confidence and peace of mind.
Because the best holiday memories are the ones you bring home – not the travel stories you never wanted to tell.
Ready to Travel?
- Speak to our friendly Guernsey team on 711666!
