Are you finally taking that all expense paid Caribbean cruise that you’ve always wanted? Or perhaps you’re going to hop on a plane and fly off to your dream vacation getaway. Regardless of where you are going this summer for your vacation, it’s always good to be able to save some money on your auto insurance while away from home. As a licensed insurance producer and a property and casualty representative, I enjoy helping educate consumers about insurance. I am going to help you save some money on your auto insurance, while you are away on vacation!
Whether you are traveling by plane, train, bus or cruise ship to your vacation destination, a little extra money in your bank account is always good to have. Call your insurance agent and let him/her know that you are planning on going out of town. As long as your car will be parked or garaged, and is not being driven, it’s not necessary for the vehicle to be covered by liability or collision insurance. Let your agent know how long you will be out of town and how long the vehicle will be sitting unoccupied. It’s a good idea to keep comprehensive and uninsured motorist coverage on the vehicle if it’s out on the street or in a driveway, just in case someone steals it, backs up into it and leaves, or a storm comes through town and knocks a tree down on top of it. There are many things that can happen to your vehicle while it’s parked, and it’s a good idea to make sure that it is covered.
Tell your insurance agent that you would like to suspend the liability and collision coverages while you are away on vacation so that you won’t be charged for insurance that you don’t need. There is however, an exception to this . . . if you are planning on renting a vehicle while away in Canada, another state in the United States, or in Europe, ask your insurance agent if your liability and collision coverages on your vehicle will extend to that temporary substitute vehicle, because they usually do. You wouldn’t want to suspend your coverages if you are planning on driving while on vacation, just in case you get into an accident, or somehow damage the rental vehicle.
If you are planning on renting a vehicle, don’t suspend any of your coverages, but politely tell the rental car company that you would not wish to purchase any of their rental insurance, because your auto insurance already covers that vehicle as a temporary substitute vehicle. It’s also great to be able to save money when renting a vehicle while on vacation! Rental car companies often forget to let you know that their insurance isn’t necessary when you’ve got your own, because they want to make a few extra bucks.
Enjoy your summer vacation, you deserve it. Take my advice and save some money on your auto insurance while you’re away on vacation, because you deserve a little extra in your bank account too!
