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Road Trip Time!!

Ok, So I’m not going on a road trip myself – But I thought I’d share some interesting tidbits about car trips and insurance in general.

I think this will be my first year in 9 years of marriage that my husband and I have not had at least a small road trip sort of vacation.  He’s so busy at work, and we just don’t have the extra time and vacation funds…

Yellowstone 02
My Favorite Road Trip:

My birthday is August 8th, and our anniversary is August 10th.  So usually sometime during that particular week we go camping or do something fun and ‘get-away-ish’ to celebrate.  We’ve spent many years driving to different Minnesota state parks, and checking out some amazing hiking trails and scenery.  However, it sort-of felt like we’ve been to all the ‘good’ ones with great walking paths and awesome views.
So. This one year (before kids), we didn’t have reservations anywhere (because the state parks leave about 1/2 of the park open for 1st come, 1st served) and we were just going to visit one of the parks we had previously been to.  I had searched high and low for plane tickets/travel packages to get away for a long weekend for relatively cheap. But.. just couldn’t find what I was looking for.

We had the car packed and ready to go camping before we went to work on Thursday so we could leave right away.  We both had Fri-Mon off.  During my last appointment for the day, I had a patient who was telling me about their recent road trip to Las Vegas, Arizona, and whatnot… and I was SO jealous.  I wanted to get out of MN.  SOOOOOOO bad.

So.  I stayed a little late after work, Googled where we could drive to, and printed off tons of maps.

Got home to meet my husband, and to tell him that we were instead going to Yellowstone for the weekend!!   I had never been, and he was there when he was a very young boy – and was very interested in going back.

We had an awesome time. It was fun and spontaneous, and delightfully beautiful!Yellowstone 01

After returning to work – my boss asked ‘So, How was camping up North??’ and I replied ‘Yellowstone was AMAZING.’

He just about flipped!  And I nearly fell over laughing at his response.

 

Ok, Back to business:

Here are some great tips to think about before getting to your next road trip!

1. Confirm your car insurance is active andYellowstone 04 premiums are up-to-date. Have a current copy of your insurance card in the car.

2.Check to see if your policy includes roadside assistance. You can be covered for towing, fuel delivery, lockout service, jump-starts and more.

3. If renting a car, check if your current policy includes coverage, and verify limitations with your agent. Some credit cards offer rental coverage, so check with your credit card company to determine if that is an option.

4. If rental car coverage is not included in yoYellowstone 03ur policy, consider adding an insurance rider for a small fee or purchasing coverage from the rental car company. Make sure you don’t duplicate benefits from your existing auto, health or home insurance policy.

5.Verify your homeowners or renters insurance covers the theft of personal items from a car, especially if you are planning to carry expensive items in your car such as golf clubs, video or digital cameras or laptops.

You can get more information about insurance and updating your insurance policies to make sure you’re really covered by visiting Auto.InsureUonline.org before your next road trip!

 

Comments

  1. Annette D says

    I make sure that the car is mechanically sound. I always have my husband check the belts and hoses, air pressure in the tires and change the oil.

  3. april yedinak says

    I always make sure I have a good spare tire and the tools necessary to change a tire, a first aid kit and a cell phone.
    ape2016(at)aol(dot)com

  12. Marilyn Wons says

    We always have the car checked out by our mechanic before going on a long road trip.

  14. Ann F says

    My road trip safety is check your tire’s airpressure and your radiator fluid level before leaving on your trip.

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

  25. Amber says

    My safety tip is telling somebody where you’re going so they’ll know where to look/who to call if they don’t hear from you.

  39. Margaret Smith says

    One of my tips is to make sure that your oil is changed and checked and your windshield wiper fluid is full.
    Thanks so much.
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

  41. Margaret Smith says

    I’m a FB friend (Margaret E. Smith)
    Thanks
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

  42. Margaret Smith says

    I’m a GFC follower (rickpeggysmith)
    Thanks
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

  44. Liz says

    I always check the seat belts are working and the car seats are secure. And we always make sure the diaper bag is stocked!
    -Liz

  46. Mary Beth Elderton says

    First and foremost make sure the car is checked out, tune up, and has good tires. It is also good to have a set of basic tools, a first aid kit, and, even if you don’t plan to picnic, some snacks and water on board.

  57. Alicia E. says

    I always pack energy snacks and water when I go on long trips in case I get stranded somewhere, and I always carry a first aid kit and emergency kit in the trunk. alicia.ebaugh at gmail dot com

  72. Jessie C. says

    Have your car checked in the factory/store and get full tank of gas before hitting a road trip

  86. Janice Cooper says

    We always make sure the car is up to par. For example like making sure the tires are good. We also make sure to bring the emergency kit in case of emergency.

  93. Stephanie V. says

    bring emergency supplies – water, food, first aid kit, radio, blankets – just in case!

  98. wcc says

    I make sure to check the tires and make sure all of the lights are working properly on the car. THanks for the chance!

  103. Jill L says

    Make sure the kids have everything they need so that the driver is not distracted during the trip.

  114. gaflygirl says

    not entering. I just wanted to say I love the pic of you and hubby on your trip and I LOVE spontaneous camping trips! I am much more spontaneous than my hubby.

  117. Rebecca Graham says

    I make sure we have a flashlight in the car and good spare tires and a jack.

  120. jennifer horn says

    We make sure the tires are in good shape and that everything on the car is in working order.

  126. Lynda E. says

    Change the oil, check all fluids and tire pressure, check the spare and make sure I have a can of Fix-a-Flat.

  127. Betsy Hoff says

    If your going on a really long road trip have your car checked throughly by a mechanic. In my case- my husband 🙂

  131. Linda G. says

    I make sure we have a flashlight ,good spare tire and have the car checked before we go.

  133. tess says

    safety tip- pack plenty of bottled water, first aid kit and a list of phone numbers including road side assistance
    tcogbill at live dot com

  136. Angela says

    I always make sure i have my cell phone charger and jumper cables and my dad checks out the car before we leave….and since we have kids i always keep first aide stuff in the car anyway!!!

  141. Kelly Ann T. says

    I have my trusted mechanic look over my vehicle before I go on a road trip. He changes the oil, checks fluids and hoses and does a complete inspection. I like the peace of mind this brings me.

  145. Jennifer Patton says

    One tip for road trips is always back a small break down box with foil cover, flare, water, dry snack, and flash light.

  146. Lindsay says

    A safety tip I have whenever going out is simply to make sure I have my cell phone on me. That way if something happens and I’m stranded, I can call for help instead of trying to flag someone down.

  148. Terri P says

    MANDATORY ENTRY:

    My tip is pack an emergency kit and put it into your back seat (NOT TRUNK!) — it’s no help if you can’t reach it! Include flaslight, extra batteries, water bottles, dried fruit / nuts, and a thermal blanket!

    Terri
    outofthemist AT gamil DOT com

  153. Denise B. says

    We always make sure the spare tire has the right pressure and we carry blankets, water, food, an emergency roadside kit, and other essentials.

  157. trishden says

    Hello, I check my tires before setting out on a long trip. Not only for safety reasons but also for good gas mileage. Using my pressure guage, I check the pressure on all 4 tires. Thanks for a great giveaway!

  163. bryansgyrl says

    Before going on vacation we will usually turn the water to the house off and lock extra keys and things in the safe.

  168. Heather S says

    Get an oil change and check your tires to make sure it is a fun trip w/no problems

  170. John Stetson says

    Always check your tire pressure and don’t forget the spare. It isn’t much use if it’s flat when you need it.

  171. Selene says

    Since we pull a fifth wheel, we always check the lights to make sure they’re all working all the way around on truck and RV.

  172. Susan Audrey says

    We always make sure we have a compass, a blanket, and a flashlight. You never know when you might need those things on a trip to somewhere unfamiliar.

  192. Aimee E. says

    My safety tip applies to every time we get in the car; I don’t leave the garage until everyone is buckled up.

  204. VickieB says

    along with a small road emergency kit, make sure your tires are in good shape and make sure you have a spare. Check all fluids.
    vlbsweeps at gmail dot com

  219. Linda Lansford says

    safety tips before heading out on the road for a long trip is to leave numbers to call

  223. Patty says

    We always make sure the brake lights work, chi=eck the oil and take the cell phone charger.

  224. kelley wood says

    Check the oil, water, & transmission fluid! Also, make sure you have extra belts in the car. This is an easy fix sometimes that will save you alot of time. Also, the jumper cables!!!

  237. Geoff K says

    Before any long road trip, I try to get a tune-up and check the tires, battery, belts, oil, and air conditioner, and make sure to have emergency items stowed in the trunk, such as a blanket, first aid kit, bottled water, jumpers, and a flashlight. Thanks!

  245. sarah says

    Also make sure the vehicle is checked out by a professional mechanic. I also make sure we have a first aid kit inside of the car. Plenty of drinks and snacks (I have a little one). Fill up on gas before we hit the road. Also make sure we have our insurance card on hand.

  246. Stacy says

    I always make sure that I get the oil changed and start the trip with a full tank of gas.
    nrdunningATgmailDOTcom

  252. Karin Wade says

    I always keep distilled water in my car in case of a breakdown. I have used it when my car overheated and if I broke down I would not go thirsty!

  256. Kelly D says

    My safety tip is to always remember to bring a charged cell phone so that you can call for help in case of an emergency.

  262. Alex K says

    You must check the tires. Make sure the air pressure is correct and bring jumper cables

  273. renee says

    Besides the obvious (filling up on gas, check that spare is in good condition), make sure to have emergency supplies in the trunk, such as a blanket, flash light, flares, at least a gallon of water, food. And let a few people know where you are going. Oh and don’t forget your cell phone charger

  285. Suzanne K says

    Well, the usual about car, preparation, etc, but I’d also add to make sure you’ve got a car charger for your cell phone and keep it charged! Also make sure there’s coverage from your carrier where ever you are going.

  296. Nancy says

    My safety tip before a long car trip is to get a road safety inspection at a service station to make sure your battery, belts, radiator, tires, etc. are all in road-worthy condition.

  323. Laura P. says

    Have emergency numbers in your cellphone and make sure your car has enough gas at all times particularly if you’ll be traveling in a lot of rural areas.

  339. Alicia Webster says

    Since we only go on a road trip once a year, we always get the car tuned up beforehand. Sometimes we find things that are wrong with the car that could have posed a hazard if we didn’t fix it first.
    Alicia Webster
    5webs@comcast.net

  352. clynsg says

    I have the car inspected so that I know the belts, battery, etc are functioning properly and do not need to be replaced.

  356. elizabeth p says

    I check the weather before heading out, it can change quickly. You may have solid plans on monday but by friday a blizzard could be coming in for saturday.

  363. Becky says

    always check all the tires before heading on a road trip. I learned this the hard way with a blown out tire going 80mph on an interstate.

  364. Sarah in MO says

    We have our mechanic (who happens to be a friend of ours) check our van to make sure it’s all in working condition before we go out of town. 🙂

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  371. Cassi says

    Rent a vehicle so they’re responsible for getting another vehicle if the original breaks down.

  373. ria says

    i make sure the kids carseats are correctly installed in the rental car
    rmartinclarke @ gmail.com

  385. Rebecca Shockley says

    Always make sure you have survival necessities packed and ready to go in the trunk!

  391. Hollie Jahnke says

    We always make sure to have blankets in the van, just in case, and we have a good spare tire.

  404. McKim says

    We always make sure our trusted neighbor has a key to our house, along with our travel plans and cell phone numbers.

  433. Vee says

    Check the tires, breaks, bring a first-aid kit, and make rest stops

    sswpss at yahoo dot com

  445. Judith says

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  458. Claire says

    Bring a car charger for your cell phone, so it will always be ready in the event of an emergency.

  465. Amy M says

    Put a gallon of water for each person in the drunk in case you get stranded/stuck/broke down……adammmartinmtb(at)yahoo(dot)com

  475. Diana Russell says

    I always take my car in for a quick check-up before any long trip! It’s great for peace of mind!

    e-mail: lucky02130 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  497. Randy Bailey says

    Road trip safety tip:
    Check your tires for air, get an oil change, & tune-up. Fill the car up with gas, & get your motor running..out on the highway..born 2 B wild. Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself..just in 1 of those silly moods! LOL!

  504. kjasus says

    we always have the oil changed before a long car trip and all fluids and air topped off.

  518. Gayle C says

    I like really clean windshields and car windows all the time but especially on a driving trip. It’s both for safety from increased visibility and so we can see interesting scenery well. Before a trip, I clean all the car glass well then apply a rain repellant type treatment. I also make sure the wiper fluid dispenser is full.

    chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com

  520. Carolsue says

    A safety tip would be to make sure the car is tuned up, tires are in good condition and there is a first aid kit in the car

  522. Carolsue says

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  537. sandy says

    i always get my oil changed, all fluids checked, tire pressure checked, and make sure i have jumper cables, water, oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid and a first-aid kit before i go.

  542. MelissaO says

    Always check the tires and make sure we have an atlas…my husband prefers GPS, but I prefer having a map as back up.

    wolverina401 at gmail dot com

  543. Georgina says

    I make sure everyone has their seatbelt on and that we have plenty of gas and a spare

  544. Katharina says

    My biggest safety tip involves personal safety… everyone in the family knows that when we stop at rest areas or other places for breaks, that no one goes off “exploring” on their own. We always know where the others are.
    Katharina angelsandmusic[at]gmail[dot]com

  545. abitnerdy says

    one of my most major safety tip is to always check your tire pressure, its uber important! Also oil level, gas, windshield wipers anndd make sure you have enough h2o to go around. 🙂

  554. Katharina says

    I subscribed via email (and confirmed!) 🙂
    Katharina angelsandmusic[at]gmail[dot]com

  560. Kristie says

    One of the things we do before taking a road trip is go get our truck checked out by our mechanic to make sure everything looks good.

  566. tallcapp says

    I do the following before starting on a long trip:
    Put the address into a GPS
    Make sure I have many bottles of water and some fruit in the car
    Fill up the gas tank
    Make sure my flashlight is working properly
    Make sure my cell phone is fully charged

  580. April V. says

    I like to make sure everything but one lamp is unplugged while we are gone – including tvs and other things you wouldn’t even think of. Not only does this save money (those things pull electricity even when off) but is safer as there is less chance of a short started fire.

  601. Erica C. says

    My biggest thing is to make sure I have all of our medications (with me) and not in luggage. Also, I make sure all the doors and windows are locked, and that I have a neighbor checking our house and getting our mail when we are gone.

  602. Ericka says

    I am getting ready to head out to TN from MI and I have gotten new tires well good used ones, oil changed and all that good stuff so my main advice for safety would be make sure your vehicle is in good working order make sure you have checked all your fluids and what not. Thanks for the chance.

    ericka082 AT gmail DOT com

  614. Kate says

    I always have my car inspected before going on a road trip. I also make sure my roadside assistance plan is active

  625. Kate (a.k.a. Gwenelle) says

    My safety tip is to always carry some sort of emergency kit – flashlight, flares, some non-perishable food, water, a small first-aid kit, a poncho or another type of jacket that folds up nice and small, etc. Oh, and I make sure my AAA membership is up to date! 🙂

  631. Jill Myrick says

    We make sure to always check the tread and air pressure in our tires before taking a trip.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

  636. darrick may says

    well im a man so i always check to see if theres plenty of fluid and check all engine components such as hoses, connections ect. then i always like to have extra tires at least 1. because while out on the rd. there can always be accidents. these are the biggies.

  637. Melanie Johnson says

    Even for short trips, I pack supplies we would need if we broke down and no one would find us for days. I think its too many episodes of 20/20 that have turned me into a worry wart.

  640. Melanie says

    We make sure all our headlights and other lights are replaced and working before a road trip

  645. Nicole Larsen says

    We always make sure to check the tire pressure and to have an emergency kit in the car at all times!!!

  666. Jessica says

    Before we go on a roadtrip my husband checks our Tire pressure and Oil. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

  667. Susan Smith says

    We make sure the tires have enough air in them and the oil, water and windshield is full

  675. Nancy says

    My tip: Get a road service check by your dealer on your car before a trip to make sure it is road worthy!

  691. R Hicks says

    I always check the basics like tire pressure, oil, and other fluids

    brich22 at earthlink dot net

  692. R Hicks says

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  699. Roxann says

    Make sure your mechanic gives your car a once over and checks all belts, fluids, tires etc so you don’t have problems on the road.

  701. Lily Kwan says

    One of my safety tips before heading out on the road for a long trip is to make sure your tires are properly inflated.

  707. Michelle H. says

    First of all, the vehicle has to be in top working order. Then, have first aid supplies. And pack plenty of drinks and snacks.

  711. Betty C says

    I make sure my cell phone is charged and that all the parts of my emergency road kit are present and in good condition.

  713. brian e. says

    Thanks for the giveaway…we check the spare tire, first aid kit, tool kit, and flashlight before any road trip !

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

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