Will your auto insurance cover you on a summer road trip?

Ah, the summer road trip! There's nothing like packing the family into the car and leisurely making your way across the country, or the continent, for that matter, to see a place you've never been to before.

Among the most popular attractions this time of year: any of the state and national parks and campgrounds; theme parks like Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Sea World and of course beach towns like Daytona Beach, Fla., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Carlsbad Beach in Calif. But what would you do if you got into a car accident far from home? Would your auto insurance policy still cover you?

For most companies, the answer is yes, as long as the crash happens in one of the 50 states. If you'll be traveling beyond the border, into Canada or Mexico, or heading over to one of the U.S. territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, etc.) you'll want to call ahead to make sure you'll be covered.

In general, your U.S. auto insurance does not cover you abroad, according to www.travel.state.gov, a service of the Bureau of Consular Affairs within the U.S. Department of State. However, your policy may apply when you drive to countries neighboring the United States, such as Mexico and Canada.

Allstate, for example, offers its customers coverage in all 50 states and the U.S. territories, all of the Canadian provinces, and 50 miles into Mexico. Check your insurance policy before driving in another country, and find out how much insurance is required to be carried in that country and how to purchase it.

You can easily obtain this information when you request car insurance quotes online or over the phone. The companies you are dealing with should have information on hand about the requirements in the country you need coverage in.

Keep in mind, even if your policy is valid, it may not meet that country's minimum requirement. If you are under-insured for a particular country, auto insurance can usually be purchased separately on either side of the border. Price out a temporary policy by obtaining several car insurance quotes to make sure you are getting a good deal.

Courtesy of ARAcontent