Auto Insurance: Holiday Hours

If you're wondering whether you can get auto insurance on a holiday, the answer is yes, but it depends on the type of insurance company you're dealing with. Most local offices that sell and service auto insurance policies are closed on federal holidays and bank holidays. However, some district offices run by the company itself may remain open. If the physical branch is closed, insurance companies will usually provide alternative ways to get in touch, such as via telephone or online chat. You can also use online quote tools or call a 1-800 number to get quotes and purchase insurance directly from the company or through a brokerage. It's important to note that even if you're out of town or driving a rental car during the holidays, your existing auto insurance policy will typically cover you for any accidents, but it's always a good idea to check with your insurance agent to ensure you have the coverage you need.

Auto insurance companies are usually closed on holidays but provide alternative contact methods

Auto insurance companies typically close their physical branches on holidays, but they understand that their customers might need to contact them in case of an emergency. Hence, they provide alternative contact methods.

Most insurance companies have a 24/7 customer service contact number that you can call to file a claim or make a payment. You can also ask to be transferred to a claim number to file a claim at any time of day. If you are unable to reach your insurance company by phone, you can use their online tools to log in to your account and make any necessary changes to your policy, pay a bill, or make an insurance claim.

If you are looking to get a quote for a new insurance policy, most companies have a toll-free line for sales with a few agents waiting for your call. You can also use an online quote tool to get instant quotes from multiple companies at once.

If you are renting a car for your holiday, it is important to understand the car hire excess and how you can ensure you are protected in case of an accident, damage, or theft. The excess amount is the amount of money that is not covered by your insurance policy that you would need to pay in case of any incidents. You can avoid or reduce excess by purchasing damage refund insurance or the full insurance offered by car hire brands.

You can get temporary car insurance for driving abroad

If you're going on a driving holiday, you'll need to make sure you have the right insurance in place. While your existing annual insurance policy may cover you, it's likely that you'll only be covered at the third-party level and only when driving your own vehicle. If you want to share the driving or use a different car, you'll need to look into temporary car insurance.

Temporary car insurance can be a great solution for those going on a driving holiday or visiting friends and family abroad. It can save you money and the hassle of altering your existing policy. You can get flexible cover that suits your needs, with policies available from one hour up to 28 days.

Temporary European car insurance will cover you to drive anywhere in the UK and across all EU member states, as well as some other countries. It's important to check the minimum level of cover required for the countries in which you'll be driving and whether your policy meets those requirements.

Taking out a temporary policy is a good option if you're planning on borrowing or sharing a car, as it won't affect any existing annual policies you have in place. It also means you won't have to add another vehicle to your annual policy, which could increase your premiums.

To be eligible for a temporary car insurance policy, you'll need to meet certain criteria, including age, residency, and driving history requirements. Make sure you have all the necessary documents before you head off on your trip, including your driver's licence, car registration documents, and travel insurance documents.

You can add insurance to a car rental booking

Yes, you can add insurance to a car rental booking. This is known as rental car insurance or temporary car insurance. It is a type of auto insurance that is specifically designed for rental cars and offers protection for the duration of your booking. This can be particularly useful if you are going on holiday and renting a car to explore your destination.

Rental car insurance typically includes multiple components, and you can choose the ones that are most suitable for your needs. Some common types of rental car insurance include:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): This covers the cost of repairs or replacement if the rental car is damaged while in your possession.
• Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP): This covers medical expenses and property damage for third parties in the event of an accident.
• Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): This covers medical expenses for you and your passengers in case of an accident.
• Personal Effects Coverage (PEC): This covers the cost of your belongings in the event of car theft.

It is important to note that you are not required to purchase rental car insurance from the rental company. You may already have sufficient coverage through your existing auto insurance policy or credit card benefits. However, it is always a good idea to review your current coverage and understand its limitations, especially if you are travelling internationally.

Additionally, rental car insurance offered by third-party providers may be more cost-effective and provide more comprehensive coverage than the insurance offered by the rental company. When considering rental car insurance, it is recommended to shop around and compare prices and coverage options to find the best value for your needs.

Furthermore, be mindful of potential mistakes when booking a rental car and adding insurance. For example, picking up and dropping off the car at the airport can incur additional fees, and purchasing insurance at the rental desk may be more expensive with hidden exclusions and fees.

You can get auto insurance quotes on holidays via a toll-free line or online

If you're looking to get auto insurance quotes on a holiday, you're in luck! Most auto insurance companies offer a toll-free line for sales and services that operate 24/7, meaning you can easily get the information you need whenever you need it. These toll-free lines are a great option if you're off work for the holiday and have some extra time to sort out your insurance.

While smaller local offices and district offices are typically closed on holidays, insurance companies usually have a reduced staff working in their customer service centres. This means that you can still give them a call and get the support you need, although you may be on hold for a little while. It's always a good idea to get in touch with your insurance company directly to clarify their specific holiday hours and availability.

If you prefer not to call, another option is to use an online quote tool. There are two types of online tools available: those offered directly by insurance companies on their websites, and brokerage-style tools that connect you with multiple companies at once. These tools are free to use and provide instant quotes, making it convenient and efficient to compare rates from different carriers.

Additionally, if you're planning a holiday and need a rental car, it's important to understand how your auto insurance policy applies. In most cases, your existing policy will cover you even when driving a rental vehicle, so you can decline the rental company's insurance offer. However, it's always a good idea to double-check with your insurance provider and credit card company beforehand to ensure you have the necessary coverage.

By utilising the toll-free lines or online quote tools, you can conveniently get the auto insurance quotes you need, even on holidays. This empowers you to make informed decisions about your coverage options and ensure you're getting the best rates available.

Your auto insurance will likely cover you for accidents out of state

If you're planning a road trip to another state, you may be wondering if your auto insurance will cover you in case of an accident. The good news is that, in most cases, your auto insurance policy will indeed cover you even when you're driving in a different state. This is because most auto insurance policies cover all 50 states as well as other US territories like Puerto Rico, and some even cover Canadian provinces. So, if you have a valid auto insurance policy, you can rest assured that you're covered no matter where you drive within the US.

However, it's important to understand that the legal minimums for car insurance coverage vary from state to state. For example, if your home state is Florida, which requires minimum liability limits of 10/20/10 for property damage and personal injury protection (PIP), and you have an accident while driving in Georgia, which requires higher minimum liability limits of 25/50/25 for bodily injury and property damage liability, your policy limits will automatically adjust to meet the Georgia minimum. On the other hand, if you're driving in a state that requires lower liability limits than your home state, your insurance policy will not decrease to meet that state's minimum; instead, it will provide the maximum coverage on your policy.

It's also worth noting that if you're in an accident in a "fault" state, where the negligent driver is held responsible for injuries and damages, the at-fault driver's insurance policy will typically determine how medical benefits and lost wages are paid. However, if you're in an accident in a no-fault state, like Florida, your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage will pay for your injuries regardless of which driver was at fault.

While your auto insurance will likely cover you for accidents out of state, there are a couple of instances where your policy may not apply. For example, if you permanently move to another state, you will need to update your insurance policy with your new address. Additionally, if you drive across the border to Mexico, your US auto insurance policy will not be valid, and you will need to purchase a separate, temporary policy that meets Mexico's requirements.

Frequently asked questions