Pre-Road Trip Checklist

Essential Pre-trip List (Sample)

List of things to accomplish before the roadrip, a detailed review of each item is in Trip Essentials:

• Current Vehicle
  • Insurance
    • Update insurance level (e.g. storage, comprehensive only)
    • add driver if stored with a friend or family member who will drive car
    • sample: add driver, full coverage, Nationwide ($580/ 6 month)
    • sample: stored, comprehensive only, Nationwide ($56/6 month)
  • Storage
    • Fill gastank
    • Store on blocks
    • Disconnect battery
    • Drain fluids if storing for a long time
  • Accessories
    • car cover for storage ($230
• Road Trip Vehicle Summary
  • Insurance
    • Vehicle insurance, Nationwide ($210/6 month)
    • Sign up for personal property insurance, State Farm ($300/yr)
  • Repairs/upgrade/maintenance
    • Bilstein shocks
    • Full service/oil change
    • Tires
    • Brakes
  • Accessories
    • Van racks ($400, includes install and locks) 
    • $$ saving tip: install mounts, buy racks used, we already had a Thule box
    • Travel bins, Target ($5 each)
    • Balancing legos
    • Radio with Aux input ($100)
    • Aux cable for MP3 hookup to radio
    • Water filter - $15, and extra cartridge
    • Solar Panel
    • Seat covers
    • Dish tub
    • Dish scrubber (holds soap)
    • Hot mat/placeholder
    • Linens for bedding, including a comforter
    • Rug for floor
    • Tent for extra storage when settled
• Property
  • Current residence
    • Own
      • Lease out
        • change insurance to rental property insurance, Nationwide ($250/yr)
      • Move out prior to trip starting (e.g. 1 to 2 months
      • Temporary housing for self
  • Permanent address
    • Attain a new ‘permanent address’ (WA DOL $1 for online change)
  • Stuff not going on road trip
    • Storage
      • Family/friends
      • Get renters insurance, State Farm ($84/ yr)
      • Sign up for personal property insurance, State Farm ($300/yr)
      • Self-storage
    • Sell
    • Give away
      • Friends/family
      • GoodWill
      • Trash
    • Stuff going on road trip
      • Insure all belongings when traveling, in case of theft, fire, etc.
      • Insure valuables separately (camera, jewelry, laptop)
• Medical/Health/Wellness
  • Medical insurance
    • Don’t travel without it!
    • 18 month Extended medical from employer, Cobra ($450/mo)
    • Foreign medical ($1200/year) explicitly including rock climbing (multinational underwriters)
  • Vaccinations
    • Hep A/B
    • Tetnus
    • Malaria
    • Thyphoid
      • (varies with insurance coverage, mine didn’t cover thyphoid $60)
  • Always carry proof of vaccinations
  • Physical exam
  • Last minute medical check up
  • Medication refills/supplies (document for customs)
  • Life Insurance
    • 31 days to extend
    • Covers debts and burial
  • AD&D Insurance
    • 31 days to extend
    • Covers debts and burial
  • Dental Insurance
    • 31 days to extend
    • Out of pocket expenses are tax deductible
• Travel Documents
  • Passport update/renewal/extend pages
  • Certified copy of birth certificate
  • Copy of passport (kept separate and safe in case of loss to original)
  • Renew driver’s license
• Legal Housekeeping
  • Will
  • Power of Attorney
  • Safety deposit box
  • Spare keys
• Misc
  • Personal Accessories
    • Camera
    • Video camera – (1300)
    • Down jacket, down vest, gortex jacket - $500
    • Climbing gear - $500
    • Backpacks - $300
    • Haircut - $70
    • Clothes - $300
    • Laptop ($400)
    • Backup drive ($200)
    • Dvd burner ($50)
    • Mp3 player and external speakers ($400)
    • Power supplies for each electrical item
  • Investment management
    • 401K
    • Savings/checking
  • Employment resolution
  • Cohabitation agreement

 International travel

• Visiting Visas ($70)
• Automobiles (rent or buy)
• Registration of automobile
• Insurance of automobile
• Bank accounts
• Exchange rates

• Fax options (post, library)
• Scanning options for emailing documents, alternative to faxing (library)
• Printing, internet (local library)
• Freelance options (guru.com)

• Work visas abroad (skills assessment – 4 months for processing)
• Job references (getting them from employers before you leave)
• Verification of employment (certified)
• Job description (get as detailed of description that you can and get your manager to sign off on it, do not rely on a review as proof), print on letterhead and certify
• Certified copy of University degree and transcripts