Road trips are a fantastic way to explore a country at your own pace. After enjoying a resurgence in popularity after 2020, this type of travel has once again captivated adventurers who want to follow their own routes and see the world on four (or two!) wheels.
However, it’s important to remember that driving for extended periods of time comes with risks and can seriously damage your vehicle, which is why car insurance is so important.
Here, we’ll outline some tips for choosing car insurance in the US and what your options are as a person who regularly finds themselves on the road.
The Road Tripper’s Guide To Car Insurance
If you’re a frequent road tripper, the car insurance options you consider should be different from those for those who only take short trips within their local area. The distance, unpredictability, and varied terrain that your vehicle is exposed to during a road trip all create a need for more extensive coverage.
So, if you love nothing more than road-tripping or have plans to do so in the future, how do you go about choosing a car insurance plan – and what are your options?
Choose a comprehensive coverage option
As a vehicle owner in the US, car insurance is a mandatory requirement in 48 of 50 states. This basic type of insurance will provide coverage in the event of bodily harm or property damage, but it won’t cover much beyond that unless you choose a comprehensive coverage option.
Comprehensive coverage takes a much wider range of potential problems into consideration, such as theft, fire, and disasters. With comprehensive car insurance, you can drive knowing that just about any threat or accident will be covered.
Passenger protection
Road trips are almost always better with loved ones. It can also be a safer way to travel when you are driving for multiple days or nights at a time. But without the right kind of car insurance, the passengers in your car won’t necessarily be protected in the event of a collision.
Passenger protection is a type of insurance add-on that you can use to tailor your insurance plan. Even if you plan on driving solo most of the time, passenger protection means whoever is in your car will be just as protected from injury as you are.
Prioritize roadside assistance
As all road trippers learn (often the hard way), roadside assistance is absolutely crucial for a safe and successful road trip. There’s nothing worse than being trapped on the side of a strange highway with no one to call and no way to get your vehicle back up and running.
Roadside assistance gives you access to 24-hour roadside help or rescue in the event of a breakdown, accident, or any problem that may be preventing your car from working. Make sure you include this in your car insurance plan.
Choose a zero-depreciation plan
The value of any asset depreciates over time, but cars—and particularly those that go on road trips—depreciate much faster. Some insurance programs offer a zero-depreciation plan that allows you to access repairs and upgrades without taking depreciation into account.
For example, if your ten-year-old car that you regularly take on road trips gets damaged, the ten years would typically be factored into your claim settlement. However, with a zero depreciation plan, those years are not part of the claims settlement process at all, helping you to save money.
Read insurance reviews and ratings
The choice of which insurance package to opt for is important for everyone. As a frequent road tripper, taking the risks of extensive driving time and vehicle depreciation into consideration is a responsibility you must take in order to protect yourself, your passengers, and your car.
If you’re still feeling lost or uncertain about navigating car insurance options, ask your road-tripping friends and read insurance reviews online. You can learn a lot from your community.
Beware of local limitations
If you’re planning on traveling across the US border, you need to ensure your car insurance coverage is still valid. While your driver’s license may be valid in countries like Canada and Mexico, not all car insurance policies automatically extend this far.
If your insurance doesn’t always extend this far, you can ask your provider if they offer temporary extensions. However, if this isn’t an option, you should shop around or a provider that offers flexible cover depending on where you choose to explore.
Why Car Insurance Should Be Different For Road Trippers
When you only use your car for getting around town or traveling to and from work and the store, your insurance coverage doesn’t need to be as extensive as if you regularly go on road trips. Here’s why:
- Unpredictable terrain – When you’re exploring mountain ranges, dirt roads, or uncharted paths, your car’s risk of damage is higher than usual.
- More time spent on the road—Accidents can happen anywhere, but the more time you spend on the road, the greater the risk. Having cover for every possible eventuality is important when traveling far from home.
- Roadside safety—Breaking down in the middle of nowhere can come with extremely high costs, especially if you need to be towed to the nearest service station.
Ultimately, avid road trippers (and long-distance drivers in general) need to take a few extra precautions when it comes to choosing car insurance. Use this guide to inform your process and select the coverage that truly meets your needs as a regular road tripper.
Use Car Insurance To Make The Most Out Of Your Road Trip Adventures
Car insurance is an important investment for every vehicle owner in the US, but road trippers have a much greater need for it in their insurance plan.
The right car insurance option will give you access to more coverage, enhanced peace of mind, and a sense of security, allowing you to make the most of your adventures every time you hit the road.
