Road Trip Insurance Checklist: What to Know Before You Drive

Few things beat the fun and freedom of a well-planned road trip. Miles of open road stretched out in front of you, with the windows down and the volume up — it’s hard to compare. But it’s crucial to make sure you understand your insurance and have all the coverage that you need long before you hit your first on-ramp. Today we’re going to give you a few things that you should know ahead of gassing up your vehicle for the trip, so that you can formulate an insurance checklist and get everything ready before you drive.

We’ve put together eight simple steps that you should follow into the following list, which you should turn into a checklist for yourself and work your way through a few days before you hit the road.

1. Confirm you have active automotive insurance
   • The first and most important step also just so happens to be the simplest. Just make sure you actually have auto insurance and that it’s still active! Check that your premiums have been paid and that your policy is current, then make sure you have a copy of your insurance ID card easily accessible while you’re on the road — a physical copy in your glove compartment is best, but a digital copy on your smartphone usually works, too.
2. Make sure all potential drivers are on the policy
   • Unless you’re going to be doing all the driving all the time, you should make sure that anyone else who might be taking the wheel during your trip is added to the policy. If you have a teenage child who recently got their license, if you’re bringing your significant other along or even just a group of friends, et cetera. Not every policy will be open to temporary drivers like this, so make sure to check with your provider.
3. Review your liability limits
   • If it’s been a while since you’ve checked in on your policy, you should take a moment to review your liability limits. If you’re still at the state minimum, you might want to consider raising them. Road trips bring with them an increased risk of accidents, so it’s a great time to finally increase your liability limit.
4. Consider any optional add-ons
   • Most insurance providers offer all kinds of add-ons to your policy, and now is as good a time as any to check them out and consider any that sound like a good fit. Here are a few examples:
     • Roadside assistance
     • Rental reimbursement
     • Comprehensive coverage
     • Collision coverage
5. Check on your home or renters insurance as well
   • Your home or apartment still needs to be protected even if you’re away, perhaps even because you’re away. You should make sure that your homeowners or renters policy is also active, and pay special attention to coverage for theft. If you’re going to be gone for a prolonged period of time, the chances of theft increase, so having coverage will help you cover potential losses.
6. Know how your coverage changes across state lines
   • Although the vast majority of insurance policies extend coverage throughout the country, it’s always smart to double check — especially if your road trip is taking you to Canada or Mexico. Crossing the Canadian or Mexican border may require additional coverage or a special rider, so be sure to check with your provider if your road trip is going international.
7. Understand your deductibles
   • It’s important to understand your deductibles all the time, but now is a good time to review or make sure that you do. Your deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage are what you’re most likely to encounter on a road trip, so make sure that you’re comfortable with the potential out-of-pocket costs in the event that you need to file a claim. Consider adjusting your policy if the deductible feels too high for your budget.
8. Consider umbrella insurance
   • There is no greater peace of mind than umbrella insurance when it comes to coverage. This provides extra liability protection beyond your standard auto and home policies, which can help protect your assets and savings in the face of a serious accident or lawsuit.

We hope that this checklist will help you be better prepared and, more importantly, covered for your upcoming road trip. This trip is supposed to be fun and carefree, so handling all of these things ahead of time can help bring even more peace of mind and lift an extra weight off of your shoulders before rubber hits the road. If you have any questions or would like to inquire about adjusting or establishing a policy for yourself, feel free to contact us right here at Glover Family Independent Insurance. We cannot wait to help bring you this peace of mind!