Ensure Your Auto Insurance Protects You on Vacation
Before you head out on a road trip, go over your auto insurance policy to make sure you have adequate coverage. Check your limits for collision, comprehensive and liability. You don’t want find out you don’t have protection, when you’re on holiday. If you think you may need a new policy, check out auto insurance quotes to get the most affordable rates for your family’s needs. To determine if you need more coverage while you’re on vacation, here are some situations to consider:
Roadside assistance
You don’t want to spend your vacation worrying about a flat tire, an overheated engine or a broken headlight. Sign up for a roadside assistance plan, so you will be able to access the services of a mechanic or a tow truck, if you need them. Many auto insurance companies, car makers and credit card companies offer such plans.
If you have a new car, the manufacturer may even provide this assistance free as part of its service agreement. If you don’t have a new car, contact your insurance company to find out if it offers optional coverage for roadside assistance. Also, find out if the driver is covered and/or the vehicle. Some insurers cover the driver no matter what vehicle, he happens to be driving. Others only cover the insured vehicle. If your insurance company doesn’t offer this option, get auto insurance quotes from insurers that offer policies with roadside assistance options. Or you can enroll in a program offered by independent auto clubs, such as AAA.
Rental vehicles
You don’t want to pay double for auto insurance. Many drivers sign up for the rental company’s optional insurance, without realizing their insurance already provides coverage. If you plan to rent a car while on vacation, find out if what kind of collision, comprehensive and liability coverage you have on your policy. Many states allow “waiver of deductible” coverage. Under this type of coverage, policyholders do not have to pay the deductible when they are in accidents that are not their fault. This waiver may not apply to a rental car, so check with your insurer. Remember that if you do get in an accident, you may wind up paying higher premiums.
If you charge your rental car on your credit card, the company also may offer a “waiver of deductible” coverage. Ask your card issuer if it provides this benefit as well as “loss of use” coverage. This covers you in case the insurance company asks you to reimburse them for the amount of income lost while the rental car is being repaired. Call your credit card company before you leave on your trip. Your card issuer may have changed its coverage since the last time you rented a car.
Additional drivers
When you’re visiting friends and family, you may want to let someone else drive your car. Before you do, call your insurance company and find out about your liability, in case of an accident. In most states, the driver probably will be at least partially covered, if the vehicle is insured and the driver has your consent to use the car. However, if the damages exceed the amount allowed by your policy, the driver’s insurance may be considered as secondary or supplemental insurance. If the driver doesn’t have car insurance, you may be held personally responsible for the remaining damages.
Determine if you need more coverage, before you load up the trunk. If you think you do need a new policy, check out InsuranceQuotes.com for more information on how to save money on auto insurance. Once you have completed your research, you can call agents in your local area, contact insurance companies directly or use InsuranceQuotes.com to instantly get competitive auto insurance quotes from the nation’s leading insurance providers. Simply fill out a simple online form on InsuranceQuotes.com to find the right insurance coverage at the best possible price. Take the time to protect you and your family today.
