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Car Insurance Policy for your next Road Trip with Family and Friends

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Road trips can be fascinating and fun. The mere mention of the word fills you with excitement and thrill. However, as exciting as it may sound, inevitabilities can happen anytime. You can meet with an accident, your car might break down or any other unfortunate incident. Now, of course, one might argue that there is no control over such eventualities. So what do you do then? While it is not always in your power to control things, but at least you can take steps to protect yourself against its effects. Comprehensive car insurance is the answer.

So if you are the adventurous type struck by wanderlust, a car insurance policy is a must before you head for the road trip.

Car Insurance for Road Trip Enthusiasts

Features you should look for while purchasing a car insurance policy for your road trip:

Comprehensive Coverage - A standard or the basic insurance cover is the third party cover. A third party car insurance policy indemnifies the insured if another driver causes damage to the insured’s car. It also covers third-party liability in case of damage caused by the insured to a third person’s car or property.  However, such a policy does not provide all-round protection like own damage, fire, theft, protection against natural or manmade disasters and protection to the driver against bodily injury or harm in case of an accident. If you’re going on a road trip, a comprehensive car insurance coverage is a must.

Add-on covers for Road Trips - There is a list of add-ons that you should consider adding to the insurance policy before heading on a road trip. They come at a cost, but they offer added personalized protection. These add-ons include roadside assistance to bail you out of trouble in case your car breaks down in an unknown place, passenger cover for fellow passengers in case of an accident, zero depreciation cover, etc.

Review and Renew - If you have an active car insurance policy and you’re considering a road trip, it is advisable to review the features and consider taking the necessary add-ons for added security before going on the trip. Also, if your policy is nearing expiry, renew it well in advance so you have ample time to carefully select the right plan with the right insurer. Take your time to select the plan, understand all inclusions and exclusions. Go through the policy document carefully.

Benefits of Car Insurance Policy

Having a valid insurance policy for your car acts as a financial backup and also gives you a sense of security while driving. It gives you a sense of freedom and independence as you no longer have to plan your itinerary around flights, trains or buses. However, emergencies always come unannounced. You might meet with an accident or your car might suffer a breakdown. That is when a valid car insurance policy comes to your rescue. Here are some of the benefits of having a valid insurance cover:

1. It pays for damages to your own car as well as damages caused by you to the other person’s car or property say in a collision or crash.
   
2. Pays for the medical expenses of the driver as well as the co-passengers (in case of the passenger protection add-on).
   
3. It pays for damages to your own car as well as damages caused by you to the other person’s car or property say in a collision or crash.
   
4. Pays for the medical expenses of the driver as well as the co-passengers (in case of the passenger protection add-on).
   
5. In extreme circumstances, if the accident proves to be fatal, the right cover helps prove to be a great financial help to the deceased’s family.
   

By Indian law, you are not allowed to drive a vehicle without a valid insurance failing, which can invite serious consequences. A valid cover prevents you from getting into legal issues unnecessarily.

Protects you from loss due to fire or manmade calamities and theft. A car is prized and valuable possession. Most people end up diverting a major portion of their savings towards a car purchase and, therefore, if anything were to happen; it would mean a huge financial loss. A valid insurance cover keeps you protected against such financial losses.

Conclusion

With the lockdown easing, you can once again take on those road trips, which are part of your bucket list. But make sure to reevaluate your car insurance policy and equip yourself with the right add-ons, which will enable you to take those long road trips with friends and family stress-free. 

This blog has been written by

S. Gopalakrishnan | Motor Insurance Expert | 40+ years of experience in insurance industry

A veteran in insurance industry. S. Gopalakrishnan is a name to reckon with in the field of reinsurance, he has headed the Reinsurance department and has rich experience in other fields of motor insurance. He loves to share his opinion on latest topics in the insurance industry and how he can help people in safeguarding their assets using insurance products.

Mr. S.Gopalakrishnan recommends "HDFC ERGO for your vehicle insurance needs, it has always put customer’s interest at the forefront, with round the clock assistance to deal with emergency breakdown issues and hassle free claims process. You can be assured of complete and reliable guidance through the whole process."

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

Few other articles

• Understanding The Various Add-Ons Available For Your Car Insurance Policy

• Benefits Of Having A Roadside Assistance Cover In Your Car Insurance Plan

• Types and Kinds of Car Insurance Policies

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