What to do if the car is broken into

In our previous post, we discuss the possible measures that we can take to prevent a car break-in. Sometimes, the avoidable can happen despite the best measures we put in place. Should the unfortunate event of a break-in strike you while on a vacation, what can you do?

1. Stay safe
Should you see someone lingering near your vehicle and tampering with the vehicle, give out a yell. That should frighten the potential intruder. Do not pursue because the intruder may be armed. Your life may be endangered.

2. Inspect damage and call the police (if necessary)
If the vehicle has been damaged in an attempted break-in, or valuables have been taken away from the vehicle, call the police.

3. Be specific about your location
When talking to the dispatcher, try to provide as much information as possible. In particular, be specific about your location. Identify the address, cross streets or any landmarks.

Street sign, South Island (New Zealand)

4. Find out what has been stolen
While waiting for the police to arrive at your location, inspect the damages to the vehicle. Identify the items and valuable that had been stolen during the break-in. 

5. When the police arrives at the scene
Have your passport and international driving license ready, and provide the necessary information to the police. If you manage to catch a glimpse of the suspect, provide a detailed description of the suspect to the police and the direction when he had flee. Before the police leaves, be sure to get a copy of the report or the reference number for the case. If possible, do ask for the officer’s name and contact number in the event that you need more information about the case. 

6. Contact your car rental company or insurance company
If you have hired a vehicle, call the car rental company and report the incident. You should have a copy of your car rental contract with reference number or your name on it. Talk to the car rental company and you will be able to receive support from them. Be sure to hire a vehicle from a reputable company that provides the best on-site support.

Your Travel Beacon,
Joanne

Car Break-In, How to Avoid

Once bitten, twice shy. We had our car broken into once while on a vacation. This weekend, we will embark on a self drive vacation to Canada. We will pass through Niagara Falls, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec.

As we organise the trip, we start to ask ourselves what we can do better to avoid another break-in.

1. Avoid PDA (Public Display of Affluence)
Ensure that you keep all valuable items out of sight. As the saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind”. The best measure to prevent your car window from being smashed and your valuables stolen is never to leave anything valuable visible inside the car.

Common items left in car that encourage a car break-in include: GPS units, handbags and wallets, cell phones, MP3 players, chargers, laptops and cases, and loose change.

GPS units are the most common items stolen during a car break-in. Intruders’ eyes are peeled for the slightest sign that indicate a possible GPS unit in the car. Besides storing the unit out of sight, you have to ensure that the charger and the holder for the GPS unit are stored away too. It is also advisable to wipe off the suction cup ring on the windshield. It is a give-away that there might be a GPS unit in the car.

Although the loose change may not worth a lot, it can be a fortune to the intruder. To spare yourself the hassle of a smashed window, keep the loose change out of sight.

2. Store suitcases and backpacks in the trunk / boot when you check-out
It is best to store these items in the trunk / boot when you check-out of the hotel, before you travel to your next destination. Putting these items in the trunk / boot when you arrive at the parking spot can tip off an intruder who happens to be lingering nearby.

3. Choice of parking
It is preferable to park in a parking lot that has an attendant and with security measures in place. If this not possible, it is advisable to park on street with large amounts of desirable foot traffic. Also, the parking lot should be well-lit. Avoid side streets, even if the main street has sizeable foot traffic. Side streets tend to be more isolated and darker. Moreover, traffic along the main street does not necessarily play attention to what’s happening in the side streets.

4. Lock and check
Most importantly, roll up all windows and lock the vehicle. Finally, give everything a check before you walk away to ensure nothing is left visible to tempt the intruder, all windows are rolled up and the car is securely locked.

Hopefully with these measures, we will keep the intruder at bay. Enjoy that self drive vacation.

Your Travel Beacon,
Joanne

Hiring a car overseas - What to look out for

I am planning a trip to Mt Rushmore National Memorial to pay tribute to the massive sculpture comprising of the heads of the four former United States presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, carved into the granite surface of Mt Rushmore. While I was doing my preparatory research on the region, many travel books and resources that I have come across state that the best way to explore the area is by car. I own a car in the US and that helps!

However, regardless of whether you own a car or hire a car, there are a few things that you need to prepare when going on a self drive vacation. For owners of car, you have to perform several checks to ensure that the car is road worthy, however since many of us will be travelling from Singapore to overseas for a short term vacation, most of us will be more concern about what we do need to look out for when hiring a car. 

1. Reputation of the hiring company
Although small local car hiring companies generally offer very attractive prices, you have to read the terms and conditions carefully. There could be additional charges for taking the vehicle out of a certain region, or you can only return the vehicle at very limited locations. You might also want to find out the pick-up location of the vehicle – is it close to where you are, and if not, do they provide complimentary customer pick-ups? You would also want to find out about the availability of after-hours services and roadside assistance while you are on self drive vacation. 

2. After-hours customer services
With a hired car, it can be possible that there are a lot of features that you are not familiar with. Some of the newer cars may require you to push a certain button in order to activate the engine. Or you may need assistance to find the switch for the boot or headlamps. Or there could be something that is totally unexpected and it happens while you have left the hiring company. Is there a number that you can call for assistance? Are they available 24/7? Having a number to call 24/7 may not be necessary for the above mentioned trivial matters, however a 24/7 number is very essential for roadside assistance!

3. Roadside assistance
Knock on wood. Most of us will prefer our self drive vacation to be trouble and hassle free. However, unexpected things may happen. For instance, my car was broken into in Missouri, USA and I lost a GPS and suffered a broken passenger window! In some parts of USA, it is common for cars to hit a deer, and in Australia, it is common to run into a kangaroo. When something like the above happens, you will like to receive support and help from the car hiring company. Of course, the first thing to do when you are involved in a theft or accident is to call the police. The next thing to do is to call the call hiring company. You will like to have a company that will come up to your location, pick up the damaged vehicle and most importantly provide you with a new vehicle so that you can continue with your journey with minimal disruptions! Before you hire a car, price should not be the only factor. Consider the availability of roadside assistance and after-hours customer services to be of equal importance.

4. Insurance and Liability Protection
In the US, the prices quoted for hired cars are generally without insurance and liability protection. Insurance and liability protection can be optional. However, I will strongly recommend purchasing them in the event of an unexpected incident. It could be possible that different companies offer slightly different insurance and liability protection, it is advisable to read your car rental contract carefully. Based on my personal experience with car rental, there is Damage Waiver, Supplemental Liability Protection and Personal Accident Insurance. In brief, I will attempt to describe what they are. However, they are not to be taken as a matter of fact! You should always read your car rental contract carefully especially the fine prints. Damage waiver contractually waives the renter’s damage responsibility for all of the cost of damage to vehicle. Supplemental liability protection provides renter with minimum financial responsibility limits. Personal accident insurance provides renter and renter’s passengers with accidental death, accidental medical expenses and ambulance expense benefits.

My damaged passenger window - Driving to get it fixed

5. Personal travel insurance
Regardless of whether you purchase the insurance and liability protection mentioned above, you should try not to travel out of Singapore without personal travel insurance. If you intend to have a self drive vacation, it may be advisable to look into travel insurance that provides optimal protection for yourself, your travel companions and third parties.

Finally, be safe and stay safe. Enjoy that self drive vacation!

Your Travel Beacon,
Joanne

Self Drive New Zealand Ski Vacation - What to look out for

Spring is in the air for the northern hemisphere. Flocks of migrating birds which flew south for warmer climates are starting to return to the northern hemisphere to breed. The snow is melting and the frozen lakes are thawing. Spring and summer are definitely on their way.

For Singaporeans who yearn for a cooler vacation destination to escape the heat in tropical Singapore, do consider the southern hemisphere for the upcoming June holidays. In this post, we are going to explore the ski fields in North island of New Zealand and helpful tips for a safe and fun filled self drive winter vacation in New Zealand.

New Zealand comprises of 2 islands – the North Island and the South Island. These islands are known affectionately in local Maori legend as “Fish of Maui” and “Canoe of Maui” respectively. The legend spoke of Maui, a demi-god who fished the North Island out of the ocean, and the South Island was his canoe.

Situated in the heart of the North Island is the Tongariro National Park, the oldest national park in New Zealand. It has been acknowledged by UNESCO as a dual World Heritage Site for its spectacular natural beauty and rich cultural significance. Tongariro National Park is also home to New Zealand’s largest ski area, Mt Ruapehu. Mt Ruapehu boasts the largest number of chair lifts throughout New Zealand. For a tourist, this means visiting a site of tremendous importance, plenty of room to enjoy winter sports and minimal waiting time for the chair lifts. Your adrenalin is pumping and you are all ready to ski or snowboard. How about throwing in an extra bonus, a self drive vacation for a more relaxing pace and freedom?

Pulling over to take a picture of the magnificent Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand

Driving up a mountain is a breathtaking experience for many, but caution needs to be exercised when navigating those narrow roads winding up the mountain with tight bends and corners. At Mt Ruapehu, snow chains are available for hire when the road conditions require them. As you ascend or descend from a mountain, drive slowly and carefully even if the road is straight. There may be ice on the road and you cannot see it until you are on it. The wheels lose traction when it is on ice and the car may skid if you drive too fast.

Sharp bend ahead

Do approach bends and corners, slowly and carefully. You do not know what is round the corner and you cannot see what is ahead until you get around the bend.

Breathing taking mountain views

Besides driving more carefully and at a speed that you are comfortable, here are some tips which I have found useful while driving to a ski field. If you notice that there is a huge pileup of vehicles behind you, do not panic and do not let them pressurise you to go faster than you would like. Proceed as usual, and when you come across a safe spot to stop, pull over and allow the vehicles to pass. In that way, you can have a more leisurely drive at a speed that you are comfortable. Braking distances increase under snow and ice conditions and applying brakes suddenly may cause the vehicle to skid. Apply brakes early and gently. Always turn on the vehicle’s headlights when the skies are overcast. Keep an eye out for traffic signs. They will prepare you for what is coming up ahead.

Be safe and have lots of fun.

Your Travel Beacon,
Joanne

Why Pick A Self Drive Vacation

When you are planning your next vacation, why not consider a self drive vacation? A self drive vacation has numerous advantages. It is definitely worthwhile to plan for a self drive vacation.

For many of us living in a compact city country – Singapore, there is limited space and chance for us to rev the car’s engine and optimise the horsepower of that beautiful performance car. On the contrary, when you are on a self drive vacation overseas, you can hire a top performance convertible automobile, wind down the windows, fold back the roof and enjoy a scenic drive with the wind brushing against your face.

Driving on a local road to Mammoth Cave National Park, USA

Even if you are not a die-hard fan of a convertible and trendy car, a self drive vacation has something to offer to you too. Imagine driving on a scenic route that runs parallel to the ocean with intermittent waves rushing in and crushing onto the shorelines, or navigating turns and bends along a highway surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains. A self drive vacation gives you the freedom to enjoy these beautiful scenic routes at a leisurely pace. You have the complete freedom to pull over at lookout points for a photo opportunity or just to take in the sights, breathe and inhale the fresh crisp air.

Greeted by a flock of sheep along a highway in Catlins, New Zealand

Self drive vacations have a lot to offer and self driving adds a touch of individuality to your vacation plans. Your Travel Beacon is going to provide a series of blog posts with information that you possibly need to consider to maximise the fun and safety in a self drive vacation. Stay tune to Your Travel Beacon – Tips on Self Driving.

Your Travel Beacon,
Joanne