Concept

Guidelines for a successful exchange

• Before you conclude an exchange deal, ask all the questions necessary to help realize an exchange that you can be sure will suit you. Don't limit your questions to the vehicle and home; also find out more about your exchange partners; for example about their family, their driving attitude if you wish to exchange vehicles. Also inquire about the distance they would cover in order to determine the approximate mileage the vehicle will have. You may also want to find out if your exchange partner has already had an exchange experience before and why he/she chose this vacation type.
• Email or telephone contact between the exchange partners. Don't hesitate to let your exchange partner know how you are doing, even if the exchange will take place in several months. Very often, the exchange partners can become friends. As such any uncertainty will be reassured; there will be a mutual confidence between the partners.
• Do at your partner's home what you would like them to do at yours. Replace any broken object and advise them in case of any problems.
• Make sure that the pictures you download on your private member area are the best quality possible, so as to avoid any surprises (photos of the home of course, and also of your family). If you don't wish to put such photos online, you may also email it directly to the private email address of your exchange partner.
• Inform your insurance companies of the prospective exchange:

Your auto insurance company will certainly ask for a document describing the driving conduct of the person who will drive your vehicle during the exchange period, its previous accidents. You will also have to provide this document to your exchange partner. In most cases this is free of charge, however your insurance carrier may charge an extra fee during the exchange period, especially if your exchange partner is a young driver or has had many accidents.

You will also have to inform your home insurance company. They may ask you to add the «non-occupant owner» clause to your policy, so that your home will be covered if an accident occurs in your absence. Find out about the cost and the possibilities your insurance company offers.

• Take photos of your home, vehicle, caravan... On your return, this will enable you to know if there was any damage and also to have something to prove the veracity of your claims. Also note the mileage of your vehicle and have it checked in a garage before leaving.
• Before leaving explain everything in writing to your exchange partner about the functioning of your home. For example how to operate the electrical appliances, garbage day or the day the cleaning lady comes. There is no such thing as too much information for your exchange partner. This will avoid being contacted in case of a technical problem. You can also write down the name of the person to contact, if your exchange partner have any questions or needs practical information on how to run errands or garden maintenance. You can also provide your exchange partners with some tourist brochures.
• If the exchange happens simultaneously, you will not be able to welcome your exchange partner. Look for someone you trust to welcome your partner and give them all the necessary information (such as the train or plane schedule) in order to ensure a good start.
• Make room in your closet so that your exchange partner can arrange his/her belongings. However, you can keep part of the closet and some of the rooms for yourself. It’s not a move. You can lock some of your belongings in a cupboard or in some of the rooms.
• Inform your friends and family of the exchange dates so as to avoid unexpected visits and also to give them the opportunity to meet the visitors if they wish. Also inform the owner of your mobile home park.
• Before leaving, leave some food items in your kitchen cupboard so that your exchange partner(s) should have something to eat during their first days. They might be tired from the trip and the time difference.