Car Insurance for Road Trips

Road trips may require additional coverage, such as roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement, for better protection.

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By Ava Lynch

Updated December 1, 2025

Reviewed By Tara Stumpf

Edited By Beth Swanson

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Can I get road trip insurance?
State minimum coverage levels
What if I rent a car for my trip?
Do I need roadside assistance?
FAQs

How does car insurance work when traveling cross-country?

Your car insurance will follow you into another US state. If you’re taking a cross-country road trip and are worried about your insurance coverage reaching from Texas to California, rest assured — your policy will cover your interstate travel. Read on to learn more about additional considerations, including how shared driving responsibilities should be handled and some potential coverage limitations. Need coverage for an upcoming trip? Enter your ZIP code above to receive customized quotes in under 5 minutes and find the best car insurance for you.

Car insurance for road trips

There is no specific road trip car insurance policy. If you’re planning to share driving responsibilities with someone not covered by your insurance policy, you should check to confirm your policy includes permissive use.

The permissive use clause in car insurance extends coverage to someone unlisted on the policy who uses the vehicle infrequently — fewer than 12 times per year. Permissive use allows you to share driving responsibilities during a road trip.

Many of the best car insurance companies offer a permissive use option. Some smaller insurance companies offer permissive use with certain restrictions. Check your policy information before your interstate journey!

Auto insurance for traveling to different states: state minimum coverage levels

Car insurance is regulated at the state level, so every state writes and administers its own insurance requirements. For example, below are the minimum required insurance levels in a few popular destination states (Florida and California) and their neighbors. If you aren't sure what your state requires for minimum auto insurance coverage, we have information listed for each state that may be helpful as you evaluate your current coverage.

Luckily, if you travel into a state with higher required insurance minimums than yours, your limits will automatically increase to meet the requirements. For example, your California limits would increase to $25K/$50K/$20K if you were to travel to Oregon.

Your liability insurance will not decrease if you travel to another state with lower limits.

State	Bodily Injury	Property Damage	Uninsured motorist BI	Uninsured motorist PD	Personal Injury Protection
California	$15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident	$5,000 per accident	None	None	None
Oregon	$25,000 per person/$50,00 per accident	$20,000 per accident	$25,000 per person/ $50,000 per accident	None	$15,000
Florida	None	$10,000 per accident	None	None	$10,000
Georgia	$25,000 per person/$50,00 per accident	$25,000 per accident	None	None	None

What if I plan to rent a vehicle for my road trip?

Renting a vehicle can make more sense than using your own, especially if you need extra space for a big family trip or want something more efficient for long-distance travel.

Your car insurance typically extends to rental cars within the U.S., and you won’t need to change coverage when crossing state lines. Still, make sure you know your policy limits and consider extra liability coverage for added peace of mind.

Rental companies usually offer optional insurance you can add when booking or picking up the vehicle. Many credit cards also include rental car coverage, so check with your issuer. It’s always a good idea to talk with your insurance agent before your trip to confirm what your current policy covers.

Roadside Assistance Program Comparison

While your personal car insurance company might offer a roadside program, third-party vendors may provide better service and coverage options. Find the best one for you.

Should I get roadside assistance before my road trip?

Yes! Roadside assistance can fill in much of the gaps left by traditional auto insurance and car warranties. Even well-maintained vehicles can experience unexpected issues. Roadside assistance provides peace of mind, knowing that help is available no matter where you are.

Meet Auto Hero

The Zebra has partnered with FIMC to bring you Auto Hero, a roadside assistance program that goes beyond what insurers like GEICO or State Farm typically offer. A standout feature? You’re covered in any non-commercial vehicle you’re traveling in—not just your own. Auto Hero also helps with routine mishaps and can even lower maintenance costs.

With Auto Hero, you’re not just protecting yourself from the unexpected—you’re making every drive, from daily commutes to cross-country road trips, smoother and more secure. Want to learn more? Click the button below or reach out to our team of licensed agents.

Get Auto Hero today and stay prepared for the road ahead.

Get Auto Hero!

Additional considerations

There is not a lot to consider when planning a cross-country road trip in terms of your car insurance, but always:

Be aware of your current coverage and contact your insurance company if you have questions.
If someone not listed on the policy will be driving, add permissive use to your policy.

For additional insight, check out our pages on non-owner car insurance, temporary car insurance, and uninsured motorist coverage.

Want permissive use? Enter your zip code to see rates.

Car insurance and road trip FAQs:

Can you get insurance for a road trip?

Yes, your existing auto insurance typically covers you on a road trip, but you can also buy temporary or rental car coverage if you’re using a different vehicle.

Is there insurance where you can drive any car?

Yes, non-owner car insurance lets you drive cars you don’t own and provides liability coverage, but it doesn’t cover damage to the car you’re driving.

Is trip insurance really worth it?

It can be worth it if your trip is expensive or you want protection from cancellations, medical emergencies, or travel delays; for low-cost trips, it’s often unnecessary.

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About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.