Remember Chevy Chase’s movie National Lampoon’s Vacation? Clark Griswold and his family packed into a Wagon Queen Family Truckster – the ugliest station wagon to roll off the assembly line – and set off on a big cross-country adventure. The trip was a total disaster. Here’s hoping you have a dream holiday, but if it somehow turns into a nightmare, you want to be covered by insurance. This checklist will help give you peace of mind.

Is your car roadworthy?

Are your brake lights working? What about your indicators? Windscreen wipers? Driving with any faults can be dangerous for road users, including yourself and your passengers, so make sure your car is in good nick. Get an RAA Approved Repairer to give your car a thorough once-over so you can head off without worrying about any potential hazards, or if it’s going to break down. It’s always better to be safe than sorry – a roadworthy vehicle will put you at ease.

Are you towing the line?

If you’re towing the caravan to your favourite holiday spot, run a detailed check on its lights, brakes and tyre pressure. Need a hand doing this? Contact RAA Car Advice for guidance. Make sure your registration is up-to-date and your licence plates are visible. It’s also worth brushing up on your towing to reduce the risk of any bingles. The last thing you want is your caravan going on its own adventure, leaving you behind to clean up the mess.

Is your caravan insured?

The caravan is your home away from home on a road trip. Touch wood nothing goes wrong, but what if it did? RAA’s Comprehensive Caravan Insurance has you covered. Any accidental loss or damage to your caravan – whether it’s caused by fire, storm, flood, hail, collision, malicious damage (including vandalism), theft or attempted theft – is covered Australia-wide by this policy. It also includes contents coverage up to $2000 (excluding certain items), among other benefits.

Final checks

They say it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters. That said, breaking down in the middle of nowhere isn’t exactly the adventure you planned. That’s why it’s important to do the routine checks – no matter how mundane they may be. Once you’ve ticked off those boxes, you’re all set to take your foot off the brake and have the time of your life. Happy road tripping!