Along with barbecues, baseball games, and laying out by the pool, road trips are a quintessential summer pastime. For a safe and comfortable summer road trip, turn your attention to your vehicle. From decluttering to updating your insurance policy, below are a few tips to help you get your car ready for the journey.

How to Get Your Car Ready for a Road Trip

1. Clean It Out

It's no secret that a road trip involves significant amounts of time spent in the confines of the car. And, simply put, a clean car is much more pleasant to ride in than a dirty one. Before the trip, go through the vehicle and remove all trash, recyclables, and anything not essential to the journey, such as ice-scrapers, old receipts, and maps to destinations anywhere other than where you're going. Vacuum out the vehicle thoroughly, polish hard surfaces with an interior car cleaner, and place a small trash receptacle in a central location. Throughout the trip, perform daily cleanings to clear away clutter and maintain a comfortable environment.

2. Have It Serviced

Whether your vehicle is showroom-new or pushing the 200,000-mile mark, schedule basic service before your road trip. A typical visit to the mechanic will include oil and filter changes, a visual inspection, a fluid level check, a tire rotation, as well as a test of the lights, wiper blades, hoses, and belts. This will ensure any issues are taken care of before the road trip starts—not when you're miles from the nearest service station.

3. Check Your Auto Insurance

If you don't have car insurance, now is the time to purchase it. Nearly every state requires vehicle owners to hold some type of car insurance coverage. If you do have coverage, check your policy before embarking on a road trip. This way, you'll know what is and is not covered, who to contact in the event of a mishap, and what steps to take should an accident occur. Also, remember to carry insurance cards in the vehicle itself and in your wallet for easy access.

The agents at Omega Insurance Group have more than five decades of combined experience serving the Lancaster County, NE, area. Along with car insurance, they offer health, life, homeowners, and business coverage. They will assess your needs and find the policies that offer the highest levels of protection at a price you can afford. To request a free insurance quote, call (402) 465-1167. Visit their website for more on their auto policies.