Writer: Kurt Brown from traveltiptank.com

Planning your road trip is almost as much fun as going on it. As you choose destinations and map out your route, make sure you also take steps to prepare your car and home. Knowing your home is secure and your car is ready for long-distance driving will make your road trip that much more of an epic holiday. So here are some tips from traveltiptank.com to keep you covered.

Do Have Your Car Serviced

A full car service just before your trip ensures that all fluids are topped off, tires have enough air, and all parts are in working order. Schedule an appointment far enough in advance to allow plenty of time for any needed repairs.

Don’t Rely Solely on GPS

Even the latest apps do not always account for real-time changes along your driving route such as construction delays, road closures, and detours. Include good old-fashioned roadmaps among your navigation tools.

Do Confirm That Your Car Is Properly Insured

Unless you’re renting a car, you don’t need a special car insurance policy for your road trip. However, you should check that your current policy has sufficient coverage for extended driving. Luckily, you can find a provider with just a little research. At minimum, your policy should include:

• Liability coverage

• Collision coverage

• Comprehensive coverage

• Uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage

Consider adding a roadside assistance plan to your existing car insurance policy. This will cover emergency roadside services such as tire changes, fuel deliveries, battery jumpstarts, tows and lockouts.

Making changes to your policy will affect the cost of your insurance. Other factors that impact your premium are:

• Age and value of your vehicle

• Ages of all covered drivers

• Safety features installed on the vehicle

• Accident history

• Driving records

Don’t Wait to Refill Your Gas Tank

To be cautious, keep your tank half full at all times. Depending on where you’re traveling, you may have long stretches between rest stops. The last thing you want to do is run out of gas with the nearest fueling station miles away. Download an app to locate gas stations along your route.

Do Secure Your Home

Statistics show that burglaries occur most frequently during the summer months when many people go on holiday. Protect your home while you’re away by taking the following actions:

• Notify trusted neighbors so they can be on the lookout for you.

• Activate your security system.

• Lock all doors and windows.

• Install exterior motion sensor lighting and security cameras.

• Set your indoor lights on a timer. If you have a smart lighting system, you can control this from your smartphone.

Document any security upgrades made to your home with before-and-after photos and receipts – some updates will boost the value of your home. Verify that your homeowners insurance policy is updated to reflect your home’s increased value.

Don’t Advertise That You’re Away

Avoid alerting others that your home is vacant for an extended period. If you want to document your trip on social media, wait to post until after you’ve returned from your trip.

Adequately preparing your home and car before a road trip gives you peace of mind while you’re away. Once you have insurance, your car has been checked, your stops have been planned and the last door in your home has been locked, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your adventure.

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Thank you Kurt for this great article, for more helpful tips from Kurt click the image below.