Car Insurance Tips For Family Road Trips in 2026

Posted on: Jan 5, 2026 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Car Insurance Tips For Family Road Trips in 2026

Road trips are extremely enjoyable, and more so when you go with your near and dear ones. If you plan to embark on an amazing family road trip in 2026, you must have proper holiday car insurance coverage. This will ensure you have a smooth and eventful adventure. Read on to know all about this.

The importance of getting proper car insurance

Here are some logical reasons why you must invest in a good car insurance plan before you leave for your family road trip in 2026:

1. Damages to the car

The car insurance premium primarily protects your vehicle from damage. When you go on a road trip and drive extensively for several days, mishaps may happen. Whether it is a small dent or a major bump, you need proper insurance coverage to ensure your vehicle remains well-protected during the entire road trip. You can also add the appropriate add-ons to enhance your coverage. Speak to your insurance provider and understand how you can maximise your coverage.

2. Damages to the passengers

Along with your vehicle, you should also cover the people travelling in it. Ensure the comprehensive plan you choose has sufficient coverage for the occupants. Car insurance usually covers the medical insurance costs of the people injured in a road accident. You can also opt for several car insurance riders such as the personal accident cover, the ambulance and medical expenses cover, the passenger protection cover and so on.

3. Legal protection

It is mandatory to have car insurance in India. If you plan to go on a road trip, you must have insurance. Without a valid policy, you will get into a lot of trouble, as you will be committing the illegal act of driving your car without insurance.

4. Peace of mind

When you have a proper car insurance plan in place, you get the mental peace that you need to enjoy your holiday with your family. The insurance plan protects your vehicle and your loved ones, and also keeps you legally protected. Hence, you do not have to worry about anything and can only focus on enjoying your trip.

Handy checklist before you leave for the road trip

You must get proper insurance coverage before you leave for your road trip. Thankfully, the Indian insurance sector has advanced significantly, and the modern 2026 motor insurance policies can be customised as per your needs. Take a look at this table to understand how that can be done:

Sr. No.	Scenario	Requirement	Add-ons	Reasoning
1	Brand new car	Comprehensive car insurance	Return-to-invoice, roadside assistance	Gives you maximum coverage and allows you to get the best claim amount, along with proper help when needed
2	Long road trip	Comprehensive car insurance	Roadside assistance, consumables, and engine protection	Your car may face some mechanical problems and break down in the middle of nowhere, hence you need to get quick and efficient help when needed
3	Older car	Comprehensive or third party car insurance	Roadside assistance	Your insurance provider may not offer many add-on options for an older car. Hence, focus on getting a cashless policy and keep the list of network garages handy
4	Multiple family vehicles	Individual or floater plans	Multi-car discounts	Some insurers offer discounts if you buy car insurance plans for multiple family vehicles, which helps lower the car insurance costs

Preparing your pre-trip guide

Now that you know how to get the best insurance coverage for your vehicle when going on a road trip, go ahead and find the best policy. Once that is done, prepare this last pre-trip guide to carry along:

1. Customer support details

Keep the helpline number of your insurance provider handy. You need to be able to reach out to the customer support cell if you have any vehicle-related emergency on your road trip. Whether you need to report an accident (which you must do at the earliest, preferably within the first 24 hours) or you require roadside assistance, the customer support should be able to help you.

2. List of network garages

Print out a list of the network garages along the route you plan to take. When you go on road trips, you often cross long stretches of deserted places where you do not get a mobile data network. So, keep a physical list ready. Also, keep a list of all the fuel stations handy, just to be doubly safe.

3. Documents

Print out the policy documents and insurer helpline numbers. Also, carry physical copies of your PUC, RC book and driving licence. Click some timestamped photos of your vehicle before you leave for your trip. If you get a bump or dent on the car, you can use the before and after pictures to make a strong claim.

4. Emergency cash

While you will find many network garages all across India, you may face a vehicle issue in a remote village where a network garage isn't available. You will have to pay cash for your repairs and get the expenses reimbursed later on. Hence, carry some emergency cash with you, even if you have a cashless comprehensive car insurance policy.

To wrap it up

As you can clearly see from the points mentioned above, getting a good motor insurance policy before you go on a road trip is crucial. Keep all the points mentioned above in mind, and find the best policy from a trusted insurer like HDFC. Once you have car insurance coverage in place, you can enjoy your trip and have the most memorable and convenient holiday with your family.

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

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