Thanksgiving Travel

Thanksgiving road trip? Make sure your car and your coverage are ready

Thanksgiving travel is expected to surge this year, with AAA predicting 16 million more travelers and more than 73 million people driving to their holiday destinations. With congested roads, increased wildlife activity, and the possibility of winter storms, it’s a good time for motorists to prep their vehicles, plan ahead, and double-check their auto insurance coverage.

Holiday travel often brings unpredictable conditions and added stress. Give yourself extra time, limit distractions, and stay attentive to other drivers and to wildlife along the roads. Before you head out, take a moment to review your auto insurance policy with your agent or insurer to ensure your coverage is up to date and suited to your needs.

Before You Go: Check Conditions, Prepare Your Vehicle, Review Your Coverage

Road and weather conditions are easier than ever to track in real time. Toll-free hotlines, radio and TV updates, and smartphone apps provide continually updated information. Check current conditions before leaving and consider how they may change throughout your trip.

For Washington travelers, WSDOT’s mobile app and social media channels offer the latest travel and weather information, as well as Thanksgiving weekend travel-time forecasts.

Leave early and allow plenty of time to reach your destination. If delays occur, it’s safer to notify friends or family than to rush.  And while driving, let passengers do the “mobile-device navigating.” Keep your eyes, hands, and mind on your driving.

Prepare your vehicle as well. Check the battery, tire tread, windshield wipers, fluids, and antifreeze. Pack essentials such as tire chains, extra antifreeze, windshield de-icer, a mobile phone charger, a flashlight, roadside flares, an ice scraper, and a notebook for documenting accidents.

Bring warm clothing, blankets, snacks, bottled water, and supplies for pets. Even if you’re not involved in a collision, closures from crashes or snow slides may leave you waiting on the roadside for extended periods. If you become stopped or stranded, remain with your vehicle. Display bright markers, and if running the engine for heat, ensure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow and ice.

It's also important to know what your insurance covers in case an accident occurs. Review your auto policy or contact your insurance company or agent to make sure you know what your policy does and does not cover.

Understanding Your Auto Insurance Coverage

• Liability Insurance – Pays for injuries or property damage you cause to others. It does not cover your own injuries or vehicle damage.
• Full Replacement Cost – For newer vehicles, ask your agent about coverage that pays to replace your car at full value if it’s totaled.
• Collision Coverage – Pays for damage to your vehicle from a crash with another vehicle or object.
• Comprehensive Coverage – Pays for non-collision damage, including snow slides, falling debris, broken windshields, and collisions with wildlife.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – Covers your injuries or vehicle damage if a driver with no insurance or insufficient insurance hits you.
• Towing and Roadside Assistance – May be included in your policy or purchased separately.
• Rental Car Coverage (While Your Vehicle Is Being Repaired) – Helps pay for a rental car while your vehicle is awaiting or undergoing repairs. With repair delays still common, confirm your policy limits.
• Rental Car Coverage (For Personal-Use Rentals) – Rental agencies offer coverage, but your existing auto policy may already protect you. Check before purchasing duplicate coverage.

Watch for Wildlife

Shorter days and colder weather mean increased movement of deer and other wildlife. Collisions with large animals can cause severe damage and serious injuries. Staying alert, especially at dawn and dusk, reduces risk. Damage from hitting an animal is typically covered under Comprehensive Coverage, minus the deductible.

If a Collision Occurs: Safety First

If you’re involved in a crash, prioritize safety. Call 9-1-1 if there are injuries and avoid moving injured individuals unless necessary. If the vehicle is drivable, move it out of traffic when safe and use flares or hazard signals.

Once the scene is secure, exchange:

• Driver’s license numbers
• Vehicle plate numbers
• Year, make, and model of vehicles
• Names and addresses of all drivers and passengers
• Insurance information
• Photos or sketches of damage and the scene (if safe)

Contact your insurance company or agent as soon as possible. Obtain the law enforcement accident report, and keep receipts for towing, emergency repairs, and other expenses that may be reimbursable.

For more information on winter driving safety, contact NW Insurance Council at (800) 664-4942 or visit www.nwinsurance.org.