Are you planning to go to a festival this summer? Whether you're dancing in the mud at Glastonbury or soaking up the sun at Coachella, it’s a good idea to protect yourself and your belongings. From protecting your home while you're away, to covering your gadgets, we've got you covered.
How to protect your belongings
When you're out and about enjoying the festival vibes, the last thing you want to worry about is protecting your belongings. Here's some things you may want to consider before you go:
Personal possessions cover
Are you planning to take valuable items to the festival? Like a bike, or expensive camping gear? If so, you may want to consider getting personal possessions insurance.
This type of insurance is an add-on to a standard home insurance policy. It covers items worth less than £1,000 against theft or damage when they're away from home.
Gadget insurance
Festivals can be a rough ride for gadgets. And, sadly, thieves do sometimes target festival-goers. So it might be worth protecting your smartphone and other devices against accidental damage, theft, or loss. Given the high cost of these items, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Like personal possessions cover, this type of insurance is an optional add-on to a standard home insurance policy.
High-value contents insurance
If you plan to take valuable items with you that are worth over £1,000, for example, a watch. You may want to consider getting high-value contents insurance. You can add it to your standard home insurance policy.
Tips for protecting your belongings at festivals
- Keep valuables with you: When you leave your tent, take your valuables with you. Avoid keeping them in outside pockets while in crowds; instead, use a bum bag or money belt.
- Use a locker: Many festivals offer lockers that are free and available 24 hours a day.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash: Dodge pickpockets by only keeping a small amount of money on you. A lot of festivals are now cashless or widely accept card or contactless payments.
- Take care: Remember you won't be covered for items left unattended or for alcohol or drug-related accidents.
Protecting your home while you’re away
Before you head out to the festival, take some steps to secure your home. Check that all windows and doors are locked. Having lights on a timer can make it look like you’re home, and ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your home. This not only helps prevent break-ins but also ensures that your insurance claims are valid if anything happens.
Other insurance options
Whether you're travelling abroad or driving to a UK festival, it’s a good idea to consider travel and temporary car insurance, to cover all your bases.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance lets you enjoy festivals abroad, like Tomorrowland and Primavera Sound. Look for a policy that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.
Staying connected
An eSIM is a good option for cheap and reliable internet abroad. It lets you stay in touch, share your experiences, and get important info on the go.
Temporary car insurance
Driving to a festival in the UK? Get temporary car insurance for flexible cover that lasts as long as you need it - from a few hours to several days. It's perfect for rental or borrowed cars.
If you’re sharing driving duties with friends, make sure everyone is insured. This way, you can take turns driving, so that one person isn’t left to do all the driving. Nice!
If you plan to drink alcohol, you should have a designated sober driver. If you're driving home the next day, be sensible the night before and avoid alcohol. You can use our alcohol units calculator to find out how many units are in your drink. The alcohol units we show are intended as a rough guide only, and are not a substitute for common sense.
Travel delays and cancellations
Unexpected travel disruptions can turn your festival plans upside down. So it's wise to look at policies that cover travel delays and cancellations to save yourself a lot of stress. It's also a good idea to look for insurance that covers the cost of your festival ticket. Just in case you’re unable to attend due to illness or other unforeseen reasons that are covered.
- Compare different insurance providers to find the best options for you.
- Read the policy details carefully to understand what's covered.
- Consider options based on your specific needs. For example, get travel insurance if you’re traveling abroad. Or, add gadget cover to your existing home insurance policy if you're taking phones and smart watches.
Tips for choosing the right insurance policy
Festivals are all about having fun. By having the right cover in place, you can focus on the music without worrying about what-ifs. With your insurance in place, all that's left is to enjoy yourself!