Traveling long distances by car can be an exciting and challenging experience.
You can explore beautiful places, cultures, and landscapes in Asia.
However, long-distance travel also carries risks that cannot be ignored, such as accidents, car damage, theft, or even natural disasters.
Therefore, you need to prepare well before leaving, one of which is by having the right car insurance.
Car insurance is financial protection provided by insurance companies to car owners in the event of unwanted things, such as accidents, damage, theft, or loss of the car. Car insurance usually has two main types of protection, namely:
- Legal liability insurance (third party liability), which covers losses caused to third parties due to the fault of the car driver. For example, if you crash into another person’s car or cause injury to a pedestrian, this insurance will pay compensation to the injured party.
- Self-loss insurance (comprehensive), which covers losses suffered by car owners due to accidents, damage, theft, or loss of the car. For example, if your car is damaged in a collision or flood, this insurance will pay for the cost of repairing or replacing the car.
Car insurance is very important for those of you who want to travel long distances in Asia, because you don’t know what will happen on the road. In addition, several countries in Asia have different laws regarding the responsibilities of drivers and car owners. If you don’t have car insurance that complies with the regulations of your destination country, you could face complex and expensive legal problems.
For that, there are a number of things you need to pay attention to before choosing car insurance for long-distance travel in Asia, namely:
- Check the terms and conditions of your car insurance. Make sure that your car insurance covers all of Asia or at least the countries you are going to visit. If not, then you will need to purchase additional insurance or area coverage extensions from your insurance company.
- Check the type and amount of your car insurance coverage. Make sure that your car insurance provides sufficient protection against various risks on the road. If not, then you will need to add additional coverage or benefit extensions from your insurance company. For example, you can add protection for blown tires, broken glass, additional accessories, or emergency evacuation costs.
- Check your car insurance premiums and claims. Make sure that your car insurance premium is within your budget and capabilities. If not, then you can look for car insurance that is cheaper or more flexible from other insurance companies. In addition, make sure that your car insurance claim process is easy and fast. If not, then you may experience difficulties and delays when filing a claim.
Apart from choosing the right car insurance, there are also some tips you can do to make long-distance travel by car safer and more comfortable, namely:
- Perform routine servicing and car maintenance before leaving. Make sure that the condition of the engine, brakes, tires, oil, battery and other components are in good condition and ready for use. If there is a problem or damage to your car, repair it immediately or replace it with a new one.
- Prepare important documents and equipment. Make sure that you have the SIM, STNK, BPKB, power of attorney, and other documents needed to drive in Asia. If necessary, also make photocopies or digital copies of these documents. In addition, also prepare equipment such as maps, GPS, medicines, communication devices, first aid kits, and other emergency equipment.
- Plan your route and itinerary. Make sure that you know the distance, time, road conditions, weather and traffic situation in each country you will be passing through. If necessary, also back up routes and schedules in case of unforeseen events. Also, make sure that you have enough rest, lodging, and fuel throughout your journey.
- Obey traffic rules and local culture. Make sure that you drive carefully, in an orderly manner, and in accordance with the traffic laws of each country you visit. If not, then you can get a fine, speeding ticket or even prison. Also, make sure that you respect local culture and customs. Otherwise, you may cause misunderstandings or conflicts with the local population.
By having the right car insurance and following the tips above, you can enjoy long-distance car trips in Asia more safely and comfortably. Hopefully this article is useful and have a good adventure!