How to Protect Your Family on the Road During Holiday Travel Season 

What if you were putting your family in danger and did not even know it? 

While traveling during the holidays, everyone relies on automobile insurance to protect themselves financially. However, the ultimate holiday travel insurance tip is to avoid filing a claim altogether, which means knowing how to prevent accidents. Unfortunately, winter driving poses more dangers on the road than any other season. 

To stay safe, you just need to know more about winter driving insurance and holiday road safety. What policy changes do you need to make before traveling, and how can you better protect your family with every mile you drive? InsureOne Insurance walks you through the answers that will keep your loved ones safe. 

Why Holiday Travel Puts Extra Stress on Drivers and Vehicles 

It is always important to be cautious on the road. However, this is particularly important while traveling during the holidays. That is because a combination of poor weather, increased traffic, and increased fatigue makes traveling much riskier than it otherwise would be. 

For example, snow and ice can make the roads hazardous, which is why winter driving insurance is so important. And the sheer number of drivers putting in long hours on the road makes things even more dangerous. Below, you will discover more about these seasonal driving hazards and how to maximize your holiday road safety. 

Weather, Traffic, and Fatigue Risks 

The most obvious danger of holiday travel (and most certainly the cause of most emergency roadside assistance calls) is the weather. Snow may obscure windshields during crucial moments, while ice may cause vehicles to skid out of control. On top of this, many spend long hours driving in hopes of arriving in time for events like Thanksgiving and Christmas, which can lead to dangerous levels of fatigue. Fortunately, the right winter driving tips will help you avoid costly repairs. 

Common Holiday Travel Accidents 

Sadly, car crashes are common during the holidays due to the aforementioned factors, such as bad weather and sleepy drivers. Outside the vehicle, slip-and-fall incidents are also widespread during the holidays because ice and snow make surfaces (especially stairs) more slippery, and travelers are more likely to have an accident when walking in or around an unfamiliar area (like a relative’s house). 

Safety Tips to Keep Your Family Protected 

Good family car insurance can cover the damage if you get into a wreck while traveling. However, it is always better to avoid accidents in the first place. Fortunately, avoiding getting into a wreck is easier than you might think. 

Below, you will find a robust road trip safety guide that includes an auto coverage checklist and the essential equipment required to ensure family travel protection. With these holiday travel insurance tips, you can give yourself the most fantastic Christmas present of them all: not having to file a fresh claim. 

Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Checklist 

An auto coverage checklist helps you inspect your vehicle for any potential warning signs before you depart. For starters, check the tires (inflation and tread) and make sure your lights are in proper working order. Check the fluid levels and inspect hoses and belts for signs of wear and tear. 

Collectively, these tips will help you determine whether your car is ready to take on the cold winter months. After following these steps, your primary responsibility is ensuring you bring the ride emergency kit and other travel essentials. 

Emergency Kit and Travel Essentials 

A good automobile emergency kit should include a first aid kit, jumper cables, a flashlight, and a toolkit. You should also bring a spare tire in case you get a flat while driving. As for other travel essentials, consider packing a fire extinguisher, road flares, a cellphone charger, water, and blankets. 

Make Sure Your Insurance Matches Your Travel Plans 

One of the best holiday travel insurance tips is to make sure you have enough coverage before getting on the road. If you are worried that you do not have enough, you can always temporarily add additional types of family car insurance as needed. 

For example, you may want to temporarily increase the limits of different policies before you hit the road. Additionally, you may want to add emergency roadside assistance or rental reimbursement before you start traveling for the holidays. 

Checking Liability, Collision, and Comprehensive Limits 

No matter what type of car policy or travel insurance bundle you have, one thing is for sure: Your policy will never pay out more than your limit. Fortunately, you can temporarily increase your liability, collision, and/or comprehensive limits. This will give you additional family travel protection during the holidays, after which you can always change the limit back to what it was before. 

Adding Roadside Assistance or Rental Reimbursement 

Hopefully, this road trip safety guide and earlier auto coverage checklist will keep you from getting into any mishaps on the road. However, adding roadside assistance before your holiday trip means that if anything happens (for example, your car battery dies or you run out of fuel), help is only a phone call away. 

You can supplement this with a rental reimbursement policy that will cover the cost of a rental while your vehicle is being repaired. That way, you do not have to worry about a mishap on the road keeping you from getting to the holiday festivities on time. 

How InsureOne Supports Families Year-Round 

At Insure One, family coverage is available to suit the needs of every kind of traveler. And trained agents are waiting to help you make the most out of your trip by offering bespoke time- and money-saving solutions, such as a travel insurance bundle. 

Additionally, you get all the benefits of luxurious automobile insurance and all the convenience of having local agents standing ready to assist you. Such agents can help to customize a policy to your exact travel needs, ensuring maximum family travel protection this holiday season. 

Multi-Policy Savings for Families 

At InsureOne, the best agents in the country understand a simple truth: Great family coverage begins with bundling. So long as you require at least two different policies (for example, home insurance and car insurance), you can bundle them together through the same carrier. 

Expert Agents to Help You Adjust Seasonal Coverage 

Another great holiday insurance tip is that you can make changes to your policy whenever you want. However, many hesitate to do so because they worry about adding coverage they do not actually need, which wastes both time and money. Fortunately, InsureOne has the best customer service in the industry, and trained agents will advise you on the exact policy changes you need to have the safest possible holiday trip. 

Keep Your Family Covered This Holiday Season With InsureOne 

Now you know the most effective holiday travel insurance tips to keep your family safe. This includes what to pack in your emergency kit, how to change your coverage, how to inspect your vehicle, and more. But do you know where to find a carrier that offers the premium service you deserve? 

Here at InsureOne, we specialize in bespoke insurance solutions for busy travelers like you. When you are ready to give yourself and your loved ones the VIP protection they deserve, get a quote online. Additionally, you can also pick up the phone and give us a quick call at 800-836-2240. Finally, feel free to visit an InsureOne office near you to experience the difference world-class customer service makes firsthand. 

FAQs 

Does Auto Insurance Cover Out-of-State Travel? 

Yes, your existing auto coverage will protect against accidents even when you are out of state. It may even protect you during holiday travel to other countries such as Canada and Mexico, though you should verify this with your provider before undertaking any international travel. 

What Should Be in My Emergency Road Kit? 

At the bare minimum, your emergency road kit should include jumper cables (for jump-starting your car), a first aid kit (for mending injuries), a flashlight (in case you break down at night), a toolkit (for rendering minor repairs), and a spare tire and related tools (to help fix a flat). Additionally, consider packing blankets, phone chargers, water, a fire extinguisher, and flares. 

Can I Temporarily Increase My Coverage for Holiday Travel? 

Depending on your carrier, you may be able to temporarily increase liability limits and add additional forms of coverage, such as collision and comprehensive. Just be sure to clarify with your provider how easy it will be to revert to your old coverage after the holidays. 

Are Family Members Covered if They Drive My Car? 

Family members who only occasionally drive your vehicle may be covered under the permissive use clause of your policy. Those who live with you and regularly drive your vehicle must be explicitly listed on your policy. As always, you should consult your carrier to clarify any questions you may have about who is and is not covered.