Thanksgiving Travel: Insurance Tips Before You Hit the Road
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest driving day of the year, and I field the same three questions every November: Am I covered in a rental? What if we break down? Is my house okay while we are gone? Here are the answers, all in one place.
Your auto policy travels with you
Your Florida auto policy generally extends to rental cars in the U.S. — the same liability and physical damage coverage you carry on your own car applies. If you carry comprehensive and collision, you can usually skip the rental counter's expensive damage waiver.
Two caveats: loss-of-use fees from rental companies are not always covered, and coverage does not extend internationally. A quick call before your trip confirms your specifics.
Roadside and rental reimbursement
If your policy includes roadside assistance, save the number in your phone before you leave — a holiday-week tow wait can run hours.
Rental reimbursement coverage applies after a covered claim, not a breakdown — worth knowing before you assume otherwise on a road trip.
The empty house you leave behind
Thanksgiving week is peak season for both burglaries and kitchen fires. Lock up, pause package deliveries, put lights on timers, and have a neighbor grab flyers from the door.
If you are frying a turkey — and I know many of you are — do it outside, on level ground, far from the house, with a fully thawed bird. Fryer fires are among the costliest holiday claims every single year.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does my car insurance cover a rental car?
- Generally yes within the U.S. — your liability and physical damage coverage extends. Confirm limits and loss-of-use handling with your agent before declining the rental company's waiver.
- Does homeowners insurance cover theft while I'm traveling?
- Yes, theft is a covered peril whether you're home or away — but take basic precautions, and keep your home inventory updated for any claim.
- Are turkey fryer fires covered by insurance?
- Fire damage is generally covered, but fryer fires cause severe burns and property damage every year. Prevention — outdoors, thawed bird, safe distance — is the only good strategy.
Let's make sure your coverage matches your life
I'm Chaz Toomey, right here in Ruskin. Send me a few details and I'll review your policy or build a quote — no pressure.