Do I Need Auto Insurance When Traveling?

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

It’s time for your big trip. You’re packed up and ready to roll – literally. However, there’s one thing you must think about before you get behind the wheel and take on the open road. “Do I need auto insurance while traveling?”

 

Luckily, we’ve detailed exactly what you need to know about auto insurance and traveling. For most drivers in the United States, you’ll have zero worries. The car insurance from your home state will carry over to every other state, too.

 

While things will carry over, you’ll want to read the fine print, especially if you’re planning to go international. So, let’s get started.

 

What Type of Travel?

 

Before we detail car insurance for travelers, we need to talk about the different types of travel. For the most part, we’ve found there to be four situations where car insurance comes into play while on the road. They are:

  • Driving your own car in the United States
  • Driving a rental car in the United States
  • Driving your own car internationally
  • Driving a rental car internationally

Below, we will cover each of these unique situations in detail. Everything you need to know about traveling car insurance.

 

Out-of-State Auto Insurance: What You Need to Know

 

Let’s begin by traveling throughout the United States in your own car. There’s some good news here. First, your home state car coverage will extend to all other 50 states. So, you won’t have any issues driving from coast-to-coast – if you’d like to.

 

One thing to note is that car insurance covers you while traveling from state-to-state. If you’d like to live in a new state, then you’ll have to eventually get coverage in your new home state – even if it’s significantly more expensive.

 

Now, if you’re driving a rental while traveling to a different state, the guidelines change a bit, but not too much. For most car insurance policies, a rental will be included. Thus, you won’t need to fork over any extra cash to travel between states with a rental.

 

Even though you don’t need extra coverage, you may want to check with your credit card company and see if your credit card comes with car insurance for rentals. Many cards do these days.

 

Your Liability

 

It’s important to note that liability laws do not change – no matter the state or coverage you have. If you cause a crash in any state, you will be held solely responsible for damages while traveling. This is why you pay for liability car insurance – so you don’t risk financial ruin in these situations.

 

In such a situation, the only change that will occur comes from your coverage limit options. For example, you have $25,000 in liability coverage regarding bodily injury insurance. However, you’re traveling in a state that requires $35,000 with the same coverage, your policy will automatically increase to fully cover you in said state. You won’t have to pay more for this coverage, either.

 

 

International Coverage Options

 

 

Now, when you’re driving internationally, the game changes, again. For Americans, we will detail common countries to drive in and more.

 

If you’re driving your own car internationally and it’s insured in the United States, you may or may not need additional coverage. Americans driving in Canada do not need more coverage, as U.S. car insurance is good in Canada.

 

Your insurance from the United States probably won’t work in Mexico, as most policies don’t cover driving South of the border. So, you’ll need to seek additional coverage before cruising around Mexico.

 

If you plan to drive in any other countries with your own car, you will need additional auto insurance. It’s smart to follow the laws of any country you will be driving in with regards to coverage minimums and more.

 

When renting internationally, your United States car insurance will not cover you. As such, you may want to consider the coverage options available to you from the rental car company. Many car rental companies are international and will have solid coverage options.

 

Another option is using your credit card. Certain credit cards offer rental car coverage internationally, as well. If your card does, then make sure to use it when renting international, as you’ll have some rental coverage.

 

Do I Need Auto Insurance When Traveling?

 

For traveling and driving around the United States, your current car insurance coverage should help protect you. When you go internationally, the rules change. If you have any questions about car insurance and traveling, just get in touch with your car insurance agent.