{"id":5767,"date":"2021-07-23T07:49:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-23T07:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=5767"},"modified":"2023-09-21T16:43:29","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T16:43:29","slug":"review-car-insurance-for-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/review-car-insurance-for-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Reasons You Should Review Your Car Insurance Before a Big Vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Whether you\u2019re heading off for sunny or snowy climates with just the adults or bringing the kids along<\/a>, your vacation is there for you to unwind and enjoy yourself. However, life is always ready to throw you a curveball. Understanding your car insurance<\/a> coverage is the best way to be ready to catch it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re renting a car, taking your own, or leaving it at home, it\u2019s important to know what\u2019s covered in your insurance policy. Below are four reasons why you should review your car insurance policy before heading off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re headed off on a \u201cdestination\u201d vacation\u2014that is, one where you fly to the location then rent a car\u2014you need to know if your insurance includes rental coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you go to rent your car, you will likely be offered insurance coverage for it. If you know what\u2019s already covered, you know what (and what not) to purchase. The following are some typical examples of coverage options for rentals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your personal auto insurance policy covers your rental car, make sure you know what types of protection it offers. Your credit card may also provide protection, so be sure to check what it covers. Your final option is to purchase insurance from the rental agency itself, though this will likely be the most expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few things to note:<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, make sure to ask your insurer the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, the rental agency will charge certain fees after there is damage to a rental vehicle. These can include loss of use charges, a charge to compensate for the reduced vehicle value, administrative fees, and towing costs. See if your insurance company covers these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your rental car is totaled, will the insurance company pay to replace it? Some insurance policies only cover the car\u2019s book value \u2014 to replace it, it would also need to include \u201cgap\u201d insurance to cover the cost of a new replacement for the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an important question to ask. Does the policy cover non-standard vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and sports cars, or high-end rentals? Figure out what the limits are to your coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re heading to one of the gorgeous neighboring countries of the United States, you need to make sure you have the right insurance for the trip. Some personal auto insurance policies and many credit cards do not offer coverage for Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most likely cause is that they will extend coverage to these countries for an additional fee. You should make sure you have the minimum required coverage for the country you\u2019re visiting. Once you have it all sorted out, print out proof of coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may find that car insurance is available within a travel insurance policy. Look into this when you are purchasing travel insurance as an alternative option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, your car insurance policy is more likely to provide coverage in Canada than it is in Mexico. The best way to figure out coverage is to speak with someone from your insurance company. Freeway Insurance offers high-quality Mexico travel insurance<\/u><\/a> to make your trip south of the border an easy one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter which country you visit, just don\u2019t forget to bring the essentials:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Important documents like photo IDs, passports, and insurance cards seem to enjoy going missing when you need them most \u2014 so be sure to keep everything in a safe place. You don\u2019t want to keep these documents in your glove compartment, particularly in a rental car. If the car gets stolen, your IDs will go right along with it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you get into an accident, lock yourself outside your car, or have another mishap abroad, stay calm and contact the appropriate parties. Consular offices can also assist you. Otherwise, make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey \u2014 read our tire care tips<\/a> to keep tabs on the health of your tires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Your Rental Car May or May Not Be Covered<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does my insurance policy cover any fees charged?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Will my insurance policy replace a totaled rental car?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What types of rental cars aren\u2019t included?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Your Insurance May Not Cover You in Mexico or Canada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mexico vs. Canada<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Your Car Insurance Policy Provides Road Trip Perks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n