Irrespective of how one commutes, purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy is certainly a necessity and the plan should ideally change with every scheduled trip. Most people associate travel insurance if they are flying to reach a destination or taking a cruise. It is a rarity to discuss these while planning a road trip.
You can never go wrong with having travel insurance. In cases of theft or even medical emergencies, you’ll have a piece of mind knowing you are covered and secured.
That being said, there is always a chance that you will not need a flight to reach your destination, but just a happy road trip with your family.
Following are some of the reasons why you need the same while planning your road trip. Road trips always warrant adventures and thrills. Whether it is Leh, Manali or Ooty, car trips through such scenic routes are the ideal gateways from your daily routine life.
One necessity that individuals forget while going on such journeys is road trip insurance. There may arise various situations when you can benefit from an insurance policy. For example, you may be involved in an accident, lose your luggage, or be stranded due to a breakdown. Such situations will require financial as well as other forms of assistance. A road trip insurance policy can rescue you when you face such instances and also cover the financial losses incurred.
However, you cannot completely plan against all mishaps which can happen while on a road trip.
Some of the reasons you should avail such insurance include:
1. Delays in your trip
Once on the road, there could be many reasons causing probable delays and aberrations to your otherwise carefully planned road trip itinerary. Abrupt diversions and long-standing jams can result in issues, especially if you’ve pre-booked a vacation package that is non-refundable. Further, should you plan a trip to a remote area, there is a chance that travelling to and fro might become cumbersome.
In such cases, a road trip travel insurance can come to your aid by recompensing unforeseen expenditure.
2. Trip cancellation
For all the meticulous planning that went to it, you might need to cancel your trip at the eleventh hour. Therefore, it makes sense to have a formidable road trip travel insurance cover, particularly if your trip has certain non-refundable, pre-paid components to it.
Should your policy attach trip cancellation benefits, you’d be recompensed completely in the event of any last-minute cancellation or postponement. While most policies would have an in-built cancellation provision, you should do what you need to – read the policy document carefully in order to know all possible inclusions and exclusions.
3. Vehicle breakdown
You’re with your family, singing along to a happy tune in your car when it suddenly breaks down. You are in the middle of nowhere – with no garage or repairs centre in sight – and your car just refuses to start.
Now this is what nightmares are made of! However, if you’ve had the good sense of purchasing a road trip insurance from a reliable insurer, you’d be able to rest assured knowing that you’d get 24x7 Roadside Assistance - no matter which part of the country you’re stuck in.
4. Medical emergencies and accidental hospitalization
Before you travel, one of the first things you might want to check on is whether your travel insurance policy covers inter-state medical emergencies. While on a road trip, you could be faced with a number of medical issues – be it an instance of food poisoning or sustaining severe injuries resulting from an accident. This is where a road trip travel insurance with a medical emergency stipulation assumes significance.
5. Loss of personal belongings and valuables
Stranded in an unknown area that is off city limits, with no cash to fall back on, is never an ideal situation to be in. But a road trip travel insurance purchased at the right time can safeguard against this risk. Moreover, you can block your debit/credit cards by a single phone call and prevent any misuse or fraud.
6. Protection from medical expenses
If you get injured while indulging in adventure sports or fall ill due to change of climate or diet, your travel insurance policy will keep you covered and reimburse all such costs related to medical assistance. In case of a serious medical emergency, your insurer will locate the nearest hospital, arrange for transportation and facilitate cashless hospitalization.
7. Reimbursement for flight delay or cancellation
If your connecting flight or pre-booked cruise gets cancelled or delayed due to bad weather or technical glitches, your entire vacation can get jeopardized. In such a scenario, your travel insurance will keep you covered for the cost of new tickets.
8. Coverage for loss of luggage, wallet, passport
In case of loss of baggage, your travel insurance will reimburse the additional cost of buying new clothing and other essentials. In the event of loss of wallet or passport, the insurance provider will pay for related expenses as well arrange for a duplicate passport.
9. Arranging help when stranded
Every travel insurance policy in India typically comes with this benefit. In an unknown place, having round-the-clock assistance is a major relief. The policy offers protection against any medical crisis, loss of baggage, loss of identity documents, or even support in case of personal liability and legal issues.
10. Home safe home!
Some of the best travel insurance providers also keep your home covered when you are away for your vacation. Under some of the comprehensive travel insurance plans, depending on the terms, conditions, and inclusions, you can cover your house burglary and fire when you are away vacationing.
11. Your car might break down
There are numerous components in your vehicle that can malfunction. And, you are left helpless if it is in the middle of nowhere.
However, a road trip car insurance policy assures you avoid the same. Such policies from renowned providers ensure 24x7 roadside assistance, at multiple locations throughout India.
12. For financial assistance
You may require financial assistance if you overshoot you road trip budget. An insurance policy will not cover such situations. What it will cover instead is emergency accommodation requirements or return air tickets.
13. When you lose your cards
Another reason why road trip insurance is crucial is to help you protect against lost cards. You may lose your wallet containing the same. The first thing you have to do in such situations is to block them.
And, trip insurance enables you to do precisely the same. You have to make a single call to block all your cards.
14. You may lose your luggage
Misplacing your baggage is another common incident that may occur while on the road. You also end up losing your valuables during the same.
Opting for travel insurance can come to your rescue. You may receive up to Rs. 3 Lakh upon losing your belongings with the best insurance policies available in the market.
15. For protection against personal accidents and hospitalisation
Instances of personal accidents might arise while travelling via road. The same may also call for hospitalisation. The situation might become more critical if you don’t have the required funds at your disposal.
Hence, road insurance becomes a necessity. Such insurance policies cover hospitalisation charges and other medical expenses of up to Rs. 3 Lakh.
16. Your fuel gauge becomes alarmingly low
A travel insurance policy ensures you remain on the safe side and never run out of fuel during your road trip. It provides you up to 5 litres of fuel for a car and up to 2 litres of fuel for a bike.
17. When you have to cancel the trip
You may have to cancel the trip in the middle or even before it commences due to various reasons. Availing travel insurance is a must if you have a prolonged illness or you run the risk of a recurring medical issue.
Here are nine amazing cars that will be fit for a road trip with your family and friends:
Volvo V60
A summer vacation car has to be a wagon, as the law of nature goes. So what’s a better choice than the all-new stylish Volvo V60 - a large, comfortable, and practical car with plenty of power and torque for your long-distance journey. It is full of technological innovations; the back seat can be fully folded to form a completely flat cargo area, and the front seats are slim and perfectly sculptured giving the passengers at the back some extra legroom. It will surely keep you and your family safe and in full comfort during the long summer trip.
Envy Camper Van Nissan NV200
A great vacation car is the one where you can sleep and eat when you get to your destination. The Envy has had its interior ripped out, and its roof is torn off and replaced with a full kitchen, convertible sofa, and elevating pop top that grants full seven feet of head levels of headroom and a second bedroom upstairs. And since the Envy is small, it’s also relatively inexpensive to own and run.
Mazda CX 3
The all-new Mazda CX 3 boasts a city-friendly size combined with Mazda’s groundbreaking features, outstanding fuel economy, and pleasurable driving experience. CX-3’s exterior is a combination of sporty and elegance, and it has a long hood, bold grille, and sculptured fenders. This Mazda model also boasts an all-wheel-drive system designed to provide better traction and predict wheel slips before it happens.
2019 Subaru Crosstrek
Reliable, practical, capable, and fun are some requirements for a right road trip car. And the new Subaru Crosstrek satisfies these requirements. The Crosstrek is an excellent choice for couples or small families looking to log some serious long trips.
2019 Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius is nearly singular in its goal which is maximum fuel economy. If you’re looking for something to save at the pump, the Prius is your best bet. The most fuel-efficient car on the road without a plug, this Eco model returns up to 58 mpg on the freeway and flaunts a total range of more than 600 miles.
Large Sedan: Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala gives you a roomy, comfortable, quiet, and enjoyable car to drive. Three adults will fit side by side in the backseat, but for the person, in the middle, the very pronounced center tunnel consumes leg and foot room. Controls are intuitive and easy to use, and electronic safety features are readily available.
Small SUV/Wagon: Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback Wagon is roomy, functional, and will surely appeal to a practical-minded buyer. It rides very comfortably; the wagon’s generous rear seat is spacious enough for three adults. Secure handling and a blind-spot warning are readily available, and visibility is excellent.
Luxury-Living SUV: Audi Q7
The new Q7 is very quiet, instilling a sense of tranquility. Handling is responsive and confidence-inspiring. In the second-row seat, three adults can fit comfortably in with plenty of headroom. The beautifully finished interior is exuding luxury, with excellent seats and a vivid, high-technology digital instrument cluster.
Chevrolet Suburban
This thing is a tank in multiple senses of the word and deserves a spot on this list. The sheer space inside is absurd – you could literally fit a kayak in the length of this SUV and still has room for passengers and more stuff. This monster also can tow up to 6,300 pounds.
Additionally, make sure to look at our post on the best way to travel enormous on a little spending plan for some incredible set aside extra cash tips.
Availing road trip insurance is hassle-free, and you can do so online by providing only a few essential details. As such, it is always advisable to avail similar insurance policies and cover yourself from unfortunate incidents before commencing your journey by car.
In conclusion, a road trip is fun, and should remain that way. After a long hard week at work, you have surely earned the right to take some time off and soak in the sun (and breeze) with your loved ones. What better way than a road trip over the weekend to revitalize your mind and get back in fighting spirit for another grueling Monday!