7 Ways That Comprehensive Insurance Is Worth It Over the Holidays
The holidays are almost upon us! For many drivers, this means more than seeing friends and family. It also means doing a lot of back-and-forth travel in your car. Having quality car insurance will help protect you and your family while you’re on the road.
Every time you get behind the wheel, you’re taking a chance. After all, the more you drive, the likelier it is that something bad will happen. Have you considered that something bad might happen to your car even when you’re not driving?
That’s where comprehensive insurance comes in, though most drivers don’t know what this type of automobile insurance is all about. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about why comprehensive insurance is worth it over the holidays!
What Does Comprehensive Insurance Actually Cover?
Our guide will walk you through why comprehensive insurance is a “must-have” ahead of the holiday season. But what does this type of insurance actually cover?
Generally speaking, comprehensive coverage protects your car from damage due to things other than collision. That means protection against theft and vandalism, as well as falling objects and even fire. And you can get protection against natural disasters, damage from animals, and even damage from unexpected events such as a riot!
We recommend you get the protection of this coverage year-round. But it is particularly important to get it before you travel for the holidays.
Understanding “Full Coverage”
When talking with other drivers, you may occasionally hear them discuss the term full coverage insurance. What is full coverage, and how does it differ from comprehensive coverage?
Simply put, the term full coverage refers to having the combined protection of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.
If you already have both liability and collision coverage, then you will have your own full coverage protection once you get comprehensive insurance ahead of the holidays.
Protection from Vandals
When we reviewed the things that comprehensive insurance covers, you might have thought to yourself that these things don’t apply to you in your own town. But when you travel, it means opening your car up to a number of risks, including vandalism.
Let’s say that you are driving to meet your sibling in a faraway town. Because you don’t know which areas of town are safe and which are not, you may park somewhere (even at a hotel) and have your car vandalized. For that matter, your car could get vandalized at gas stations and rest stops when you are just trying to get from Point A to Point B.
But wherever you go, comprehensive insurance can protect your car against vandalism. It’s one less thing you’ll need to stress about while traveling over the holidays.
Safe from Trees
Comprehensive insurance can protect against “falling objects.” While that may cover many different things, the biggest falling object threat to your car is typically trees.
Again, the most important thing to remember is that you will be traveling to areas you are less familiar with (if not completely unfamiliar with). A tree could easily fall over at your parent’s house or your sister’s home. In fact, any unfamiliar area with old trees in the dead of winter may as well be a trap that your car could set off at any time!
Unless you want a crazy repair bill for Christmas that you must pay out-of-pocket, you need comprehensive insurance.
Protect Against Thieves
Most of us think of the holidays as a joyful time. Some people, however, are out to steal the joy from your holiday time – literally.
It’s entirely possible someone will break into your car for temporary shelter while you travel. If they know how to hotwire a vehicle, or if you leave your keys where a stranger can steal them, they may escape with your entire car!
Outside of owning a house, someone’s car is typically the most expensive thing they own. Protect your investment with comprehensive insurance.
Watch for Fires
At first, you might not think your car is in much danger of fire during the winter. When you’re in the midst of extreme cold, then extreme heat is probably the last thing on your mind.
However, fires are more common during the holidays than you think. Pretty much every Christmas tree or set of Christmas lights that need to be plugged in represents a fire risk. All it takes is a problem with the electricity or a problem with the equipment itself to cause house fires, and these fires may engulf your vehicle before you know it.
You can take steps to make those Christmas trees safer, but you can make your car a lot safer with comprehensive insurance.
Unpredictable Weather
One of the larger protections of comprehensive insurance is protecting your car against unpredictable weather. This includes things like hurricanes and tornadoes that can cause sudden and catastrophic damage.
Here’s the thing: most drivers associate that kind of unpredictable weather with other seasons. But you never know when violent storms are going to strike. In 2015, the South, Southwest, and Midwest areas of the country were hit by tornadoes and other extreme weather that destroyed buildings, caused immense property damage, and killed 43 people.
Nobody could have predicted such a tragedy would happen. But with comprehensive insurance, you can protect your car from unforeseen catastrophes!
Wild Animals and Your Car
The part of comprehensive coverage that usually surprises drivers the most is that this insurance protects against damage done from animals. You might find yourself thinking, “just how much damage could an animal actually cause?”
During the holidays, the likeliest way your car will get damaged is if you hit a deer while you are traveling. Here’s the thing: your collision insurance won’t pay for that because it only pays when you hit cars, buildings, or other objects, and living animals don’t fit these criteria.
Before you start making the long drive this holiday season and put your car in danger, we recommend getting comprehensive insurance.
Get the Comprehensive Insurance You Need Today
Now you know why comprehensive car insurance is so important for the holidays. But do you know where you can get the coverage you need at a price you deserve?
At InsureOne, we are always ready for you to get a quote online. Alternatively, you can grab the phone and give us a call at 800-836-2240. Finally, feel free to come into one of our convenient nearby offices today. We are here to help make your holidays as stress-free as possible.