Travel Tips: Planning a road trip? So keep these things in mind before starting your journey!

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With connectivity, positioning, and seamless GPS navigation systems, going on road trips is becoming more popular among Indian travelers. Be it a long drive or a short trip, a little planning and proper safety measures are essential before embarking on it.

Check the car: Start by checking whether the toolkit, jack, hazard triangle, distilled water, engine oil, etc. are okay or not. Rocks can throw a wheel out of balance, so check wheel alignment and balance before traveling. Make sure the air pressure in the tires is correct; Keep low to medium pressure when traveling in hot areas and slightly higher pressure when traveling in mountainous areas. If you are traveling in snowy areas, make sure you have snow chains on your tires. For night driving, it is important that all of your vehicle's lights are working properly, including parking lights, brake lights, number plate lights, and indicators.

Choose the right add-ons: Self-driving travel is more fun, but requires more safety. It is important that the vehicle is covered by a comprehensive insurance policy at all times with the right add-ons. This will help you cover the financial loss caused due to damage to your vehicle or third-party damage. Financial liability coverage/limit will be available for burst tire, vehicle damage, and engine damage due to external factors, you can also buy add-ons like:

Engine Protection Cover: There is no telling when an engine might break down. All you have to do is be prepared for the situation. The engine is obviously the most expensive component of a vehicle and replacing this part is costly. Engine protection cover means that having an engine protection cover will help you not only during your travels but also in case of an engine breakdown at any time during the policy year. Repair and/or replacement costs will be covered and you'll have peace of mind.

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Tire Protector Cover: Your vehicle's tires should be in the best condition while going for long drives. However, prolonged non-stop driving weakens the strength of the tires and makes them prone to damage due to rough terrain, slippage, etc. All tire repair/replacement costs and labor costs are included in the cover if add-ons are purchased. Covers your vehicle in the event of tire wear and accidental damage. You don't have to worry about exorbitant costs.

24-Hour Roadside Assistance Cover: This cover comes in handy when the vehicle breaks down in the middle of the road and there is no garage nearby. With this cover, you can approach your insurance provider for 24X7 assistance.

Emergency Hotel Accommodation Cover: In case of an accident during travel, you will get hotel room rental expenses along with emergency hotel accommodation cover in case of emergency accommodation services. It would be a wise decision to book a hotel every 50 km during your journey. So that if your vehicle breaks down, you can stop the journey and rest till it is repaired.

Lastly, download the Road Trip Map. Don't forget FASTag for smooth travel on toll roads. Make sure all passengers fasten their seat belts. Also, have a booster seat if you're traveling with a small child. Following the above list will make your road trip worry-free.