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Top 6 Car Insurance Tips for Travelers

For some people, life is on the roads. They are always on the go, from traveling to different countries to just traveling around the country. If you are one of them and love to be in your car, truck, or RV traveling across the country or even crossing some international borders, you need to keep in mind that auto insurance rules change from one state to another. Make sure your road trip is insured, safe, fun, and memorable.

To help you make the right decision, here are the top 6 car insurance tips for travelers and wanders. This article will feature tips for when you are traveling in the country as well as outside the country. Let’s get started.

Get Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance is not a stand-alone auto insurance policy, but an add-on to your existing auto insurance policy. Travelers who are sometimes in the remotest parts of the country will not get the best car servicing facilities. If you are stuck in the middle of the road with a dead battery, flat tire, or any malfunctioning element in your car that stops it from moving, what are you going to do?

Roadside assistance is what will save you if you have it. Almost all the auto insurance companies offer roadside assistance add-ons. With RSA, the insurance company will send help no matter where you are in the country and will help you with:

  • Battery jumpstart
  • Tire change
  • Gas refill
  • Towing services, etc.

Roadside assistance is an absolute necessity if you plan to travel in a car for long distances. It is also very affordable and worth it as it provides you with the safety of not getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broken car and a terrible road trip.

Different States have Different Minimum Coverage Limits

Different states in the US have different minimum liability coverage limits. This limit is the amount your insurance coverage must have to pay out to the victim of an accident that’s your fault. The difference in minimum coverage limit varies by a lot in many states.

So, if you are planning to travel to other states, make sure that your liability insurance coverage limit is sufficient. You don’t want to be stuck in another state and your insurance running out of coverage. Any extra amount that your insurance cannot pay must be paid by you. And knowing how expensive road accidents can be, don’t make your road trip the most expensive trip of your life.

Contact your auto insurance company and talk about increasing your minimum coverage limit. It is better to be insured than underinsured and completely broke if you get in an accident.

Get Collision and Comprehensive Car Insurance

There is a simple statistical law that applies not just in road accidents but everywhere; the more you drive, the higher the chances of you getting in a car accident. When you are on a road trip, the long, continuous driving session can wear you and your car down, increasing the chance of an accident. This is why it is important to get collision and comprehensive car insurance.

Collision car insurance will cover the cost of repairs if your car gets in a car accident, or you just drive your car into anything, even large potholes. Since you do not know the roads when you are traveling, having collision car insurance will make your trip better.

Comprehensive car insurance covers the damages to your car from natural calamities like earthquakes, fires, hailstorms, etc. But the reason it is recommended when traveling is that you never know the area where your car will be parked. Comprehensive coverage also covers animals hitting your car, vandalism, and even theft. Get this insurance coverage so you can park your car without any worry.

Get Rental Car Insurance

If you are traveling to other countries, getting rental car insurance is the best option for you. Don’t worry, most rental car companies offer this insurance along with the car. Rental car insurance might cover just liability insurance (also called third-party auto insurance in other countries) or collision and comprehensive insurance along with liability coverage.

Rental car insurance policies can be expensive, but they are your best option when traveling outside the country. This is why it is recommended that you look for the cheapest car insurance companies with the most affordable insurance plans.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

What if you are traveling and someone hits your car on the freeway, causing some severe damage to your car and you? It will take a long time to track the person if it is possible at all. This is why getting uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is very important when you are traveling. Not just for traveling, but UM/UIM is recommended for every driver.

This insurance policy will pay for the repairs and medical treatments when the driver at fault either does not have sufficient coverage limit or does not have liability coverage at all. UM/UIM can also be claimed in a hit-and-run scenario. So, get uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, even if you are not planning to travel anywhere.

Know About the Country’s Mandatory Coverage

This one is for international travelers. When you visit another country, you need to know the basic laws regarding auto insurance coverage. In many other countries, the mandatory coverage might include liability insurance as well as health insurance, or in some countries, a single insurance policy might include all the necessary auto insurance policies.

So, when you are in another country, look for different auto insurance companies and find out which insurance policy is best for you if you intend to drive there. Contact insurance companies or visit their offices and be insured before you drive.


Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.

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