Holiday road trips bring questions about auto insurance: What happens if you borrow a friend’s car, hit a deer, or get into an out-of-state accident? While insurance generally follows the vehicle, situations like deer collisions, rental cars, and cross-state travel have unique rules. Knowing your coverage before you hit the road ensures peace of mind during the busiest travel season of the year.
Thanksgiving kicks off one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Highways fill up, airport lots overflow, and trunks get stuffed with luggage, leftovers, and a little hope that traffic won’t be terrible this time. Knowing what your auto insurance covers can prevent unnecessary stress during your holiday road trip.
Top questions drivers quietly Google from the passenger seat:
1. Borrowing Someone’s Car: Does Their Policy Cover Me?
Holiday travel often becomes a family-wide car shuffle. The good news: in most cases, insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. Borrow your cousin’s car for a last-minute grocery run. Yes, their policy usually becomes primary coverage.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Liability-only policies may not cover damage to the car.
- If you cause an accident, the claim goes on the owner’s policy.
- If damages exceed their limits, your insurance may step in as secondary coverage.
Before grabbing the keys, make sure everyone understands what is and isn’t covered.
2. Deer Collision: What Happens If a Deer Jumps Out?
Pennsylvania drivers know it well: peak deer season coincides with holiday travel. Deer collisions typically fall under comprehensive coverage, not collision. Comprehensive covers events outside your control, like a 200-pound deer bolting across Route 222. Without it, repair costs fall on you.
Deer Collision Coverage Table
| Situation | Covered by Comprehensive | Covered by Collision | Covered by Liability |
| Hit a deer on a holiday road trip | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Swerve to avoid a deer and hit a tree | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Strike another car while avoiding wildlife | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ (other driver) |
Pro Tip: File it correctly. A deer accident should be listed as a comprehensive claim, not collision. Misclassification can increase costs long-term.
3. Out-of-State Accident: Are You Still Covered?
Crossing state lines is a common worry during holiday travel. Here’s the reassuring truth: your auto insurance travels with you nationwide.
- Your policy still applies from the moment you cross state lines.
- Coverage limits stay the same.
- If the state requires higher liability minimums, your insurer temporarily adjusts coverage to comply.
For example, driving from Pennsylvania to New Jersey? Your insurer automatically adjusts limits to meet local requirements. Filing the claim when you return is where a local agency like RIS shines—real people guide you step by step, not automated menus.
4. Rental Cars: Do You Need Extra Insurance?
If your car is in the shop or you rent a vehicle for travel, your existing auto policy often extends to the rental for liability, collision, and comprehensive, as long as you already carry them.
Rental companies may encourage extra coverage, which can be helpful, but often duplicates what you already have. A quick call to RIS can clarify exactly what you need—no upsells, just guidance.
5. Holiday Road Trip Checklist
Before you hit the road, ensure your insurance is ready with this single actionable checklist:
- Review comprehensive, collision, and medical payments coverage.
- Confirm who is covered if someone else drives your vehicle.
- Check rental reimbursement coverage.
- Add roadside assistance to avoid stress from breakdowns.
- Snap a photo of your insurance card for easy access during travel.
These steps take just minutes and can prevent major stress when unexpected events occur.
Travel Confidently This Holiday Season
Understanding auto insurance shouldn’t feel overwhelming. At Rothenberger Insurance Services, we help drivers across Berks County travel with confidence—whether borrowing a vehicle, crossing state lines, or hoping to avoid holiday wildlife.
Take the next step toward worry-free travel:
Review your policy or request a quote today. RIS makes it simple, friendly, and personalized—so your coverage truly fits the way you drive.
Contact Rothenberger Insurance Services for a quick policy review.