Will My Auto Insurance Pay for Travel Interruption?

Last Updated on October 22, 2021

No matter how well you plan ahead for your travels, sometimes things get in the way. Travel interruptions can be very costly, so you might be wondering if your car insurance covers travel interruptions.

Some car insurance companies offer travel interruption coverage as an add-on for a personal car insurance policy. Alternatively, you can purchase a separate travel insurance policy. Roadside assistance policies can also provide some helpful trip interruption features. All three options are a great way to protect yourself financially in the event that you encounter trouble on your road trip.

Does Car Insurance Cover Travel Interruption?

Some car insurance companies offer travel interruption coverage as an add-on to your policy. While this coverage does cost extra, it comes with a number of helpful benefits. Travel interruption coverage is a particularly helpful add-on for those who make frequent road trips.

The exact coverage you’ll get with a travel interruption add-on will vary. However, there are some standard features you can expect. These policies will usually cover the additional cost of a hotel, rental car, and meals if you are in an accident and don’t make it to your destination.

For this add-on coverage to kick in, you will typically need to be a certain distance away from your home. The exact distance is going to vary depending on your insurance provider. Additionally, you will usually need to get in an accident in order for this coverage to kick in. Some policies will also provide coverage if your car breaks down, but this is often put in the roadside assistance category instead.

Does Roadside Assistance Cover Travel Interruption?

Roadside assistance coverage can also be helpful if you experience any issues while you are on the road. If you travel frequently, it typically makes sense to have both roadside assistance and a travel interruption add-on as part of your coverage.

Roadside assistance coverage is designed to help you if your car breaks down while you are traveling. It can also help you in a number of other emergencies. This plan typically covers towing to the nearest repair shop, as well as emergency battery jumps, tire changes, and gas delivery. Roadside assistance often covers basic locksmith services as well, which can be helpful if you accidentally lock your key in your car.

While roadside assistance coverage does not pay for hotels, meals, or a rental car, it does cover some of the other expenses associated with travel emergencies. If you’re on the road frequently, it’s very important to have roadside assistance coverage just in case. Most car insurance companies will allow you to add roadside assistance coverage to your policy for a small extra fee.

Should I Use Traditional Travel Insurance Instead?

Although many car insurance companies do offer trip interruption coverage, there are some benefits to buying a travel insurance policy instead. This is a particularly good strategy for long road trips or work trips. Travel insurance works a bit differently than car insurance, as it only covers previously defined travel.

However, travel insurance will give you much more trip interruption coverage than car insurance will. Travel insurance policies typically offer higher reimbursement amounts, and they cover many more types of trip interruptions. With car insurance, you’ll only receive reimbursement if you get in an accident or your car breaks down. Travel insurance will reimburse you for weather-related interruptions, medical emergencies, and more. You also have the option to fully customize your travel insurance policy to fit your needs.

If you’re on the road regularly for work, school, or family, a trip interruption add-on for your car insurance will likely be enough. It can be a hassle to take out travel insurance every single time you’re on the road. However, if you are planning a trip that is longer than usual, it doesn’t hurt to invest in travel insurance.

How to File Travel Interruption Claims

Getting into an accident while you are on a trip can be very stressful. However, thinking ahead is important to ensure that your claim is approved. As with any claim, you’ll want to make sure you take as many pictures as possible and get contact information for any witnesses. Contact your insurance company as soon as you can, and make sure to get a police report if there is one.

Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you keep the receipts for all of your lodging and meals during this travel interruption period. You should also make sure you keep receipts for any transportation costs, including rental cars, cabs, or public transit. You will need to pay for everything upfront and your insurance will reimburse you later once your claim has been approved.

It is important to familiarize yourself with your policy before you hit the road. This ensures that there won’t be any confusion later on if you do need to file a claim.

If you are on the road frequently, there’s always a chance that something will go wrong, no matter how careful you are. Investing in some form of travel interruption coverage can give you the peace of mind you need while you drive. This add-on does cost extra, but for those who travel frequently, it’s often worth it. You’ll want to compare different types of travel interruption coverage to find the one that makes the most sense for your needs.