Summer: Peak Driving Season
Peak driving season, peak policy review season
Summer is full of family fun opportunities. School is out, kids are home, and for many, Memorial Day and Independence Day are the first holidays after a long Spring and Winter stretch. Summertime is historically peak driving season and is often synonymous with good, old-fashioned American road trips as travel typically increases in summer and peaks in July and August, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Summer is a good time to review policies for added coverage
- Roadside assistance like towing and labor, plus rental reimbursement
- Uninsured (and underinsured) motorist protection
- Comprehensive and Collision Coverage
- Higher limits (where applicable)
Summer drives can come with a few surprises, from a flat tire on the way to the beach to needing a rental after a covered claim. Towing, labor, and rental reimbursement coverage can help keep plans moving. Also, did you know that nearly 1 in 7 drivers on the road do not have insurance, according to the Insurance Research Council? Meaning that in the event of an accident, there could be up to a 15.4% chance that the driver on the other end is uninsured. Given that elevated risk, having uninsured (and underinsured) motorist protection is more important than ever. Plus, having higher limits could cover additional costs associated with an at-fault accident.
Summer presents new discount opportunities
Other important policy updates could also come into play during summer:
- Multi-car – Vehicle purchases spike during summer months
- Multi-driver – More shared vehicles and temporary drivers (teens home from school, etc.)
- Change of address – 48% of moves occur between June and September, according to Moving.com’s U.S. mobility trends fact sheet
- Auto Pay – Summer fun is full of distractions and additional expenses that could lead to late or missed payments; set up Auto Pay to maintain consistent on-time payments
View a full list of GAINSCO discounts. Be sure to review options for each policy. Discount rates and availability may vary by state and policy term and are subject to change.
A simple wellness check could go a long way
Summer isn’t just high-risk for drivers – it’s also a high-engagement opportunity. It helps customers feel prepared, protected, and supported before they hit the road. Especially since customers are more likely to move during summer months, which is a leading reason for triggering auto insurance shopping. Do a quick Summer policy checkup to address any life events or seasonal changes. Moving? Buying a car? Kids home for Summer? Staying connected gives agents the best opportunity to ensure drivers’ coverage needs are being met so they can get back to enjoying what’s important to them – spending quality time with friends and family this summer.
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Review your policies and see what discounts can be applied at renewal. Call us at (866) 424-6726 to speak to our insurance experts and discuss custom coverage options.