If you’re planning to travel even a moderate amount of distance away from your home in the near future, you might want to consider a car insurance travel protection plan. These plans can be purchased as part of your regular insurance or as a supplemental policy when renting a vehicle. Either way, they provide a fair amount of coverage for all sorts of things at a relatively low cost. We’ll discuss this in a bit more detail as we go through this article.
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Before we continue, it is important to note that travel protection policies come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Travel agencies and online travel booking sites frequently offer travel protection plans when booking a vacation. This is not the type of thing we’re talking about here. Rather, we’re talking specifically about additional insurance coverage that would protect you, and any cars you drive, while you’re traveling. The ideas are similar, but they are separate policies.
Crossing the Border
Car insurance travel protection plans are pretty much a necessity if you plan to take your vehicle out of the country for any length of time. For example, if you plan to drive in Mexico you need to be aware that your U.S. insurance is virtually useless in that country. If you would involve in an accident on Mexican roads, you could be held personally responsible for any damages incurred because of your negligent action. Without adequate insurance you could also be made to pay additional criminal or civil penalties.
For this type of travel you can usually purchase adequate coverage on a temporary basis from your current car insurance provider. If your provider doesn’t offer it, there are a large number of specialty companies whose business revolves around issuing temporary travel protection plans. You can even purchase this type of insurance at the border – just be very careful if you choose to do so. Make sure the insurance agency thoroughly explains documents to you and provides them in English.
Coverage for Rental Cars
If you’ll be traveling using a rental car, you will be covered by your own car insurance to whatever degree your personal vehicles are covered. For example, if you have full collision and comprehensive coverage on your personal vehicles, that same coverage usually will apply to rental cars. Be sure to check with your insurance carrier just be sure though. If your current policy is inadequate to cover the value of a rental car, an additional travel protection plan is a good idea.
Again, you can probably purchase additional coverage on a temporary basis from your current insurance company. Your other option is to purchase a policy from the car rental company. These policies tend to be a bit more expensive than what you could get from your own provider, but they are fairly comprehensive in nature. At the very least, you can rest assured that the car rental company’s insurance policy will be adequate to cover their interests.
Things That Are Covered with Travel Protection Plans
The types of things travel protection plans cover varies from one policy to the next. As a general rule you get a certain amount of liability coverage as well as roadside assistance, towing coverage, and rental car provision. Some of the more expensive policies may also include reimbursement if an accident causes you to cancel the remainder of your travel plans. Furthermore, you may also be able to get supplemental health coverage and accidental death and dismemberment with some plans.
Things that generally won’t be covered include damages resulting from your negligence, fire and theft, and personal property being transported in a vehicle. Those things will normally be covered by your homeowners policy or an umbrella policy.
As always, it’s best to thoroughly examine your insurance documents so you know exactly what is included in your coverage. And be sure that you don’t settle for a policy that provides inadequate coverage. Shop around to find exactly what you need.
Car insurance travel protection plans are a good idea that costs very little money. With more drivers on the road than ever before, we are all at risk of an accident every time we get behind the wheel. Due to the nature of travel, our risk goes up proportionally. So if you can afford it, and you have assets that need to be protected, consider buying a travel plan next time you head out of town.
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