Car insurance, as easy as a picnic.
Pack the wagon and we will sort the coverage. Auto Picnic helps families compare auto insurance quotes, understand what goes in the basket and head out on the road with a lighter load.
- Liability, collision and comprehensive, explained
- New and teen drivers welcome
- Roadside help, sorted
What's in the basket?
Every good picnic starts with the right things packed. Here are the six coverage items families ask about most, explained in plain words.
The big blanket
Liability
Pays for injuries and property damage you cause to other people when a crash is your fault. It is the layer most states ask for first, and the one worth reading twice.
The sturdy cooler
Collision
Helps repair or replace your own car after hitting another vehicle or an object, whoever is at fault. Your deductible is the part you pack yourself.
The weather tarp
Comprehensive
Covers the surprises that are not crashes: hail, flooding, theft, vandalism, a branch dropping onto the hood or a deer stepping out at dusk.
The spare plates
Uninsured motorist
Steps in when the other driver has no insurance, or too little of it, so a stranger's gap does not become your family's problem.
The first-aid kit
Medical payments
Helps with medical bills for you and your passengers after a crash, no matter who is at fault. Handy when the back seat is full of kids.
The thermos
Roadside and rental
Towing, a jump-start, a flat-tire change and a rental while your car is in the shop keep a bad afternoon from becoming a ruined trip.
Coverage names, limits and availability vary by state and by insurer. Auto Picnic explains the basics so your questions are sharper; it does not replace a policy document.
The family road-trip route
Five stops where the right coverage quietly does its job. Follow the little wagon from the driveway to the campsite.
- 1
The driveway
Check liability limits and who is listed as a driver before the wagon gets loaded.
- 2
The snack stop
Parking-lot dings happen. Know your collision deductible so a bump does not spoil the day.
- 3
The lakeside spot
Comprehensive helps when a branch falls or a storm rolls in while you are mid-sandwich.
- 4
The mountain pass
A flat tire or dead battery far from town is easier with roadside help on call.
- 5
The campsite
Rental reimbursement keeps the trip moving if repairs keep your car in the shop.
Tips worth tucking in the basket
Small habits that keep your car insurance simple, fair and ready for whatever the weekend brings.
- Tip 01
Ask about the bundle
Putting auto and home or renters with one insurer can unlock a multi-policy discount. Compare it against two separate policies before you decide.
- Tip 02
Re-shop at renewal
Life changes, and so do rates. Set a reminder a month before your policy renews and line up fresh quotes side by side.
- Tip 03
Add new drivers early
A teen with a permit or fresh license belongs on the conversation sooner rather than later. Ask about good-student and driver-training discounts.
- Tip 04
Pick a deductible you can pack
A higher deductible can lower your premium, but only if you could comfortably cover it on a rough day. Choose the number you would not lose sleep over.
- Tip 05
Tell the truth about mileage
Commute length and yearly miles shape your quote. Accurate numbers keep surprises off the renewal notice and out of a claim.
- Tip 06
Ask early about an SR-22
Some states require proof of financial responsibility after certain violations. If that is you, say so up front so quotes reflect it from the start.
The basket, by the numbers
A quick look at what Auto Picnic's guides cover. These are descriptive figures about our content, not a promise of savings.
- Coverage items explained in plain words
- 6
- U.S. states our guides speak to
- 50
- Common discounts worth asking about
- 12
- Simple steps from question to compared quotes
- 3
Ready to pack your policy?
Tell us who is riding along and where you are headed. We will help you line up car insurance quotes you can compare side by side, no jargon and no pressure.