Millions of people travel every summer. Children are out of school, the weather is warm, and as the sun sets later there is more time to participate in fun summer activities, making summer the most popular travel season of the year. All these summer festivities are fun, but there is one important question for you to keep in mind: How does traveling in the summer affect your insurance?
Here are some things that you should keep in mind when making your plans for the summer regarding your insurance:
- Bills: Keep an eye on your insurance renewal dates so payments aren’t missed while you are away. Check other bills that may be do while you are on vacation and make arrangements to pay them early if necessary, or to pay them while you are away. If your bills are payable online, make sure to find a secure Wi-Fi network, and pay them using some sort of online payment form, such as a credit/debit card.
- Auto Insurance: If you are traveling by car, make sure you have a current ID card. If you are planning to travel to Canada or Mexico, talk that over with your agent. Your current policy may be sufficient, or they may recommend new coverage for the trip.
– Rental Car Coverage: If you are planning to fly somewhere and rent a vehicle instead, check if your auto insurance covers rental vehicles, or if you need to add additional rental car insurance. You should also check with your agent about your coverage versus the collision damage waiver offered by the rental car company.
– Roadside Assistance: Make sure that your policy includes roadside assistance, especially if you are going to be traveling long distances by car. - Home Insurance: When you are away from home, your personal property may still be covered under your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, but there could be limitations. These limitations could arise from the fact that some policies have stipulations about vacant homes for extended periods of time.
– Coverage for Belongings: If you take valuable items, such as expensive jewelry or cameras, check if your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers loss or theft away from home. - Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance is available for many trips and can provide valuable coverage, especially if you must cancel at the last minute or have medical issues while on a cruise ship or overseas. There are several great online options to purchase travel insurance or and if those don’t satisfy you, check with your travel agent.
Never forget, that as fun as your summer plans are, it is important to ensure that your home and life are safe when you get back, which is why you should prioritize the safety of your life through the means of insurance. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to review your plans for this upcoming season. We can help you review your current policies and provide recommendations for your travel plans if necessary! Happy traveling!