Car Travel during COVID-19: All You Need to Know

Traveling by car is a simple and cool way to diversify the gray days. Multi-mile highways, beautiful views behind the windshield and your favorite people nearby: what could be better? Even if you don't have a car, you can rent a car and feel the real wind of freedom.

8 passenger van rental will be an excellent transport solution for an unforgettable family weekend. The car will allow you to go exactly where you want, discovering many new interesting places.

Today, during the global pandemic, car travel has become even more popular. However, for the trip to be successful, you need to properly prepare for it. Check out some questions that might be useful to you...

Is it safe to travel by car during a COVID-19 pandemic?

Yes, if you follow the precautions. A car during the coronavirus outbreak is the safest alternative to public transport. It’s easy to maintain social distance in the car and have minimal contact with other people on the trip.

Don't forget about the standard hygiene rules during COVID-19, especially if you rent a car or use car sharing. Wearing gloves and treating surfaces with antiseptic are simple habits that will greatly reduce the risks when traveling by car.

What to pack and how to prepare for your trip during the coronavirus?

Masks, gloves and sanitizers are the trendiest accessories for the 2020 season. Road trip is not an exception. Bring a couple of interchangeable sets of gloves, masks and hand sanitizer with you. It’s more convenient to use disinfectant wipes and spray to wipe the contact surfaces in the car. Always follow the main rule - wash your hands after you have come into contact with surfaces in public places. Therefore, take a bottle of water and soap on your trip - they will come in handy.

Is it possible to rent a car during a pandemic?

Yes, you can rent a car during a pandemic – booking process through the convenient van rental app won’t take much time. Analysts are even forecasting an increase in demand for car rental and car sharing, and companies are introducing new measures for the safety of travelers. For example, industry leaders are investing in developing technologies that don't require keys to unlock a car.

Already now, when renting a car with Sixt, you will get access to a locker with keys through a mobile application. So you can book, pick up and return a car without personal contact with the company's employees.

The Zipcar rental company has gone even further and introduced mobile unlocking of cars: now you can do it without keys, which are usually passed from hand to hand.

Otherwise, the procedure for renting a car for a customer remains the same. The only thing - experienced tourists advise to book a car rental in advance, especially in popular places, as there are a lot of people who want to go on a road trip now.

Do I need travel insurance before the pandemic is over?

Usually, when renting a car, basic insurance is included in the price. As a rule, it’s CDW - protection against damage. Please be aware that CDW doesn’t cover glass, headlights, and wheels. Also, the rental price may include other types of insurance - for example, Theft Waiver.

The deductible, or excess is always included for the basic insurance - this is the amount that you pay in case of insured event. Everything above this amount is covered by the car rental insurance provider. In order to save money, as an additional option, you can purchase insurance with zero excess, but it will still not apply to glass and wheels.

It will be more expensive to buy full insurance without a deductible and with coverage of all possible risks. Such insurance is called FDW, FCDW, Super CDW, Super Cover or Full Cover.

It may be cheaper to take out insurance from a third-party insurance company rather than a rental car provider. Whichever insurance you choose for your rental car, read the terms and conditions in advance and figure out what damages it covers and what it doesn’t.

How to make car travel safe?

Contactless car rentals, self-service gas stations and online payments are security measures available now. In order to ensure safe travel by car during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to minimize contact with people. 

Gas stations, cafes and shops now pay special attention to the disinfection of toilets and counters. However, compliance with the general rules of hygiene also matters: wear a mask, wash your hands, and try to touch surfaces as little as possible. It’s better to pay by electronic card, not cash, and when paying, put money or a card on the counter, and not pass it from hand to hand.

Of course, keep your social distance if there are other visitors in the room: cafes and shops usually have special markings on the floor.