Summertime road trips are an excellent way to travel while spending quality time with the family. Whether you’re visiting family or exploring the country, hitting the road is one of America’s great pastimes. But what happens if there’s an issue on the road? Will your insurance policies cover you, or will you have to come out of pocket to pay for these costs? Here’s everything you need to know about what your insurance will cover on a summertime road trip.
What is Covered by Insurance
When you think about driving, the first insurance that comes to mind is auto insurance. Of course, your car insurance policy covers your vehicle against damage or theft and bodily injury to you, your passengers, or other people.
Sickness or Injury (Health Insurance)
Injuries and illness can pop up at any moment, even if it means interrupting your summertime road trip. Having health insurance means that you’re covered against unexpected situations where you need to see a doctor, get a prescription, or visit the emergency room. Keep in mind that some health insurance policies have different coverages and exclusions if you’re outside the insurer’s coverage area. Before leaving on your trip, contact your insurer to inquire about coverage options along your route.
Car Stolen (Auto Insurance)
Auto thieves look for opportunities where drivers are distracted and may not take normal precautions to protect their vehicles. Cars can be stolen at any point along your road trip, including hotels, amusement parks, malls, and sporting events. Even if you’re visiting family, it could be stolen outside their home. With comprehensive coverage, the insurer will help pay for a new vehicle if it isn’t recovered. This is an optional coverage, so your vehicle won’t be protected if you just have the state minimum insurance.
Personal Items Stolen (Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance)
A quirk of insurance is that your auto insurance won’t cover you if personal items are stolen from your car. Instead, your homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance policy will reimburse you for items, such as laptops and clothing. This oddity has always bewildered me, but it is another reason why I stress to clients that they need to buy renter’s insurance if they don’t own a home.
Accident Damage (Auto Insurance)
Extra driving can put you at a higher risk of getting into an accident, especially if you’re driving in unfamiliar territory or are distracted by kids or the family pet. While fixing your car after an accident can be stressful, those repairs can be covered by auto insurance. If you’re at fault, comprehensive coverage is an optional policy feature that pays for the repairs to your vehicle. When you’re not at fault, the other driver’s insurance should pay.
If the other driver doesn’t have car insurance or their coverage limits are too low, buying uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance will protect you. This coverage also protects you if you’re in a hit-and-run situation. These coverages are not mandatory in many states, but I recommend my clients add them to make sure their vehicles are protected.
Towing (Auto Insurance – Optional Coverage)
Your auto insurance may cover towing costs if your car breaks down during your summertime road trip. The average tow costs $109, so check your auto policy before leaving to ensure you’re covered. I don’t have this coverage through my car insurance, but my AAA membership provides free towing to home or the nearest mechanic.
Identity Theft (Identity Theft Insurance)
While on vacation, your personal information is exposed more frequently than when you’re at home. Your mail could pile up in your mailbox and be a target for thieves. To counter this risk, I always put my mail on hold through the USPS website for free before leaving for a trip. While on your trip, you may be using your debit or credit card in strange places. Swiping it at random gas stations and paying for food at fast food places and restaurants that you’re not familiar with.
If you purchased identity theft insurance or a rider on your homeowner’s insurance policy, you may be covered for these costs. Remember that most credit cards have zero liability protection against unauthorized transactions.
What isn’t Covered
Major insurance policies cover many of the situations you’ll encounter during a summertime road trip. However, it’s not practical (or economical) to cover every situation. Knowing what isn’t covered by your insurance policies allows you to take other steps to protect yourself and avoid unexpected surprises.
Flat Tires
The more you drive, the higher the likelihood of getting a flat tire. Don’t let your summertime road trip get ruined by damage from the road or debris in your path. While most insurance policies won’t cover you against a flat tire, roadside assistance can help you change your tire and get you back on the road. Many newer vehicles offer complimentary roadside assistance, or you can get it as a benefit through a travel membership like AAA or by adding it to your auto policy.
I purchase my tires from a warehouse store, so they’ll cover the cost of patching them if I bring them to one of their locations. They’ll also provide a credit toward the purchase of a new tire if it cannot be repaired. Buying tires from a store that offers complimentary protections like these can save you money in the long run by avoiding having to pay for coverage.
Locked Out of Car
I think we’ve all felt that dreaded feeling upon realizing that our keys have been locked inside our car. Most new car keyfobs prevent this from happening, but older cars with manual locks or previous-generation keyfobs are still susceptible. Although my SUV is almost 10 years old, it beeps and won’t lock the car if any doors or the rear hatch are open. If you get locked out of your car, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for a locksmith or tow truck to help you unlock your vehicle unless you purchase roadside assistance.
Running Out of Gas
Most insurance policies don’t cover consumable goods, like gas for your car. However, if you purchase roadside assistance coverage as an add-on or a separate policy, the insurance will cover the delivery of gasoline to wherever you are stranded. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to pay for fuel, and depending on the day, time, and location, you may wait a while before roadside assistance shows up.
Medical Emergencies
Some health insurance policies won’t cover your medical expenses if you’re treated by an out-of-network doctor, hospital, or pharmacy. In a true emergency, you can always sort out the coverage later. However, if you have a minor injury or illness, or simply need a prescription refill, contact your medical insurance first for guidance on how to proceed. In my experience, communicating with insurers before incurring an expense can help you avoid spending money that won’t be reimbursed.
The Bottom Line
Going on a summertime road trip is a great way to create lifelong memories. While most trips go off without a hitch, it’s reassuring to know that insurance policies will cover many of the troubles that can happen. There isn’t a catch-all policy that will cover every situation, so it’s important to know which policies provide coverage and what situations need to be covered another way. If you have a question about what’s covered in your policies, speak with your insurance agent or call the insurer’s customer service.
The information provided on this website is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or insurance advice. While we strive to keep content accurate and up to date, insurance laws, policies, and regulations can vary by state and may change over time.
Nothing on this site constitutes professional advice or a recommendation of any specific insurance product, provider, or strategy. You should consult with a licensed insurance agent, financial advisor, or legal professional regarding your individual situation before making any decisions.
Sources
- United Agencies Insurance, Summertime Insurance Tips to Help Your Summer Be Safe and Worry-Free. Published June 13, 2022.
- Specialized Insurance Services, Summer Road Trips and Your Auto Insurance: What Every Driver Should Know. Published June 16, 2026.
- Ford, Ford Roadside Assistance. Accessed June 22, 2026.
- AAA, AAA Roadside Assistance. Accessed June 22, 2026.
- Progressive, Does car insurance cover theft? Accessed June 22, 2026.
- The Zebra, How much does towing a car cost: What to know before you tow. Published August 1, 2025.
- Allstate Insurance, Allstate Identity Theft Protection. Accessed June 22, 2026.
- Progressive, What is uninsured motorist coverage? Accessed June 22, 2026.
