Traveling And Car Insurance: How To Prepare For A Road Trip

Road trips have been the most interesting part of the lives of many Nigerians. After the stress of the pandemic, Americans could be hitting the road in significant numbers. If you are preparing for your own road trip, you will want to educate yourself about best practices on the road and the best car insurance to protect your vehicle while you are out exploring. In this article, we will explain how to keep your car safe so you can enjoy your journey to the fullest.

How Does Car Insurance Work For Road Trips?

Even if your bags are packed, you are not ready to go if you have not thought about car insurance. While there is no particular policy intended for road trips, it is a good idea to ensure you have the best car insurance coverage in place for extended driving. Below, we will look at the types of auto insurance that are particularly relevant for road trips. They include;

1. Liability Coverage: Before you begin your expedition, inspect your current auto policy to figure out how much liability insurance coverage you have. If you only carry your Country’s minimum liability insurance, you may be underinsured. Accidents can be expensive, and liability coverage only takes care of the damages caused to others.
2. Collision Coverage: The average Nigerian driver could experience multiple auto accidents in their lifetime. If your car is damaged by a crash in the middle of your road trip, collision coverage can shield you from expensive repair and replacement costs.
3. Comprehensive Coverage: If you get caught in bad weather during your road trip, comprehensive car insurance will protect everything by covering damages. The same goes for issues caused by theft, vandalism and many other situations that could cause physical damage to your vehicle.
4. Roadside Assistance: Getting a flat tire in an unfamiliar location or locking your keys in your car far away from home can be stressful. When you add a roadside assistance plan, you can rest assured that you will have peace of mind on your road trip.

If You Are Driving Your Vehicle

If you are travelling in your own car on a long-distance road trip, consider two critical factors regarding your auto insurance coverage. The details can be found below;

• Who Is Covered While Driving The Vehicle?

If you carry an auto insurance policy, other people can drive your vehicle as long as they are licensed and of age, not drunk, and not explicitly excluded from your policy. Since auto insurance is meant to protect the vehicle, your auto coverage remains in place even if your friend takes over at the wheel.

If You Are Renting A Car

If you are going to be moving on the road in a rental vehicle, you will need some type of rental car insurance. There are various options to provide coverage for your adventure.

• Insurance Offered By Rental Car Companies

Your personal auto insurance policy may provide protection while you travel in a rental car, but that is not guaranteed. Check your policy to find out whether it covers rental cars. Regardless, most rental car companies offer options for coverage such as:

• Collision damage waiver (CDW).
• Loss damage waiver (LDW).
• Supplemental liability insurance (SLI).
• Personal accident insurance.
• Personal effects coverage.

A collision damage waiver somewhat mirrors collision insurance by covering damages to a rental car due to an accident. A loss damage waiver is the equivalent of comprehensive coverage, helping out against theft, vandalism, or environmental damages. CDWs and LDWs are typically pricey, but they provide extensive protection.

Alternative To Rental Car Insurance

There is another route you can take to insure a rental car and avoid the options found above. The detail is talked about below;

• Use personal car insurance coverage: In many cases,your full coverage car insurance policy will extent to collision damage incurred while you are driving a short-term rental car. If you have collision coverage as part of your existing policy, you might be able to opt out of paying for a CDW from the rental car company.

Tips For Preventing Accidents On Road Trips

The last thing you want to deal with on vacation is an auto accident. Here are some tips for avoiding accidents on your next road trip:

1. Don’t text and drive: Put the phone away while you are driving to help ensure the safety of everyone on your road trip.
2. Always stay alert while driving: Always be well-rested before hitting the road, and do not drive if you are impaired or too tired.
3. Inspect your vehicle before and after your trip: It is  important to conduct thorough maintenance inspections before, after, and even during your road trip. Paying close attention to your car’s condition will help you identify mechanical problems that could come up while you’re traveling.
4. Keep up with regular vehicle maintenance. Keeping up with regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance such as oil changes and tire rotations can lessen the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns and mechanical failures while you are on the road.