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A year-end road trip in 2026 is a fun way to travel with family, your partner, or friends. Before heading out on a long drive, however, check your car’s condition, route, weather forecast, travel schedule, and driver readiness. Along with emergency supplies and rest breaks, consider car insurance options such as comprehensive (all risk) car insurance or Total Loss Only (TLO) insurance to help protect against covered risks, subject to policy terms.
A year-end road trip is a great way to spend the holidays with family, your partner, or friends. Travelling by car offers flexibility in choosing destinations and the freedom to explore interesting stops along the way.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation reported approximately 110.43 million public movements during the Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 holiday period, up 16.65% from the previous period. These figures refer to the previous holiday season, not a forecast for the end of 2026.
That level of holiday travel highlights why preparation matters. If you are planning a year-end road trip in 2026, think beyond your destination: vehicle condition, routes, weather, and suitable car insurance coverage all contribute to a safer, more comfortable journey. Here are 10 things to check before you leave.
A long-distance drive puts more sustained demands on your car than everyday use. Make sure the vehicle is in good working order before setting off.
Check tyre pressure and tread condition, including the spare tyre.
Check engine oil and other vehicle fluid levels.
Inspect the brakes, battery, lights, windscreen wipers, and cooling system.
Make sure no dashboard warning lights are on.
Arrange a service or inspection if scheduled maintenance is due soon.
Besides checking the engine and other components, review your vehicle insurance coverage. An appropriate car insurance policy may help reduce the financial impact of losses covered under its terms.
Do not rely solely on the estimated arrival time shown by a navigation app. Check your main route, alternative roads, rest stops, petrol stations or EV charging stations, and areas likely to experience heavy traffic.
Travel times can change considerably during the year-end holidays because of traffic volumes, diversions, or road conditions. Prepare an alternative route, update your navigation app, and download offline maps for areas with unreliable mobile coverage.
Weather can affect visibility and road conditions. Heavy rain, standing water, strong winds, and fog can make driving more dangerous, particularly on mountain roads or in flood-prone areas.
Check the forecast before departure and again during multi-day trips. If severe weather is expected, consider delaying the journey or choosing a safer departure time. Never drive through floodwater when you cannot judge its depth.
Long-distance driving requires sustained concentration. Do not sacrifice sleep or push through fatigue simply to arrive on schedule.
Choose a departure time based on expected traffic conditions.
Allow extra time for breaks and unexpected delays.
If you feel sleepy, pull over somewhere safe and rest.
If another licensed driver is travelling with you, consider taking turns behind the wheel.
Get enough sleep before departure. Driver fitness is just as important as vehicle readiness.
Rest areas are not only for meals and bathroom breaks. Use them to stretch, inspect the car, refuel or recharge, and check that the driver feels alert. If you are travelling with children or older family members, plan more flexible breaks. Identify alternative stopping points in advance, particularly during busy holiday periods.
Organise your luggage so that it does not block the driver’s view or exceed the vehicle’s load capacity.
Keep heavy items low and secure.
Make sure suitcases and bags cannot slide around.
Keep the pedals and driver’s footwell free of loose objects.
Carry emergency equipment such as a jack, warning triangle, flashlight, and first-aid kit.
Properly secured luggage helps improve comfort and reduces the risk of injury from items moving during sudden braking.
Do not wait until your fuel tank is nearly empty to look for a petrol station. Electric vehicle drivers should plan charging locations and charging times around the route.
Mark several fuel or charging stops before departure, and keep backups in case your preferred location is full, unavailable, or out of service. Planning ahead helps avoid running out of fuel or battery power mid-journey.
Every passenger should wear a seat belt appropriate to their seating position. Children should use suitable restraints based on their age, weight, and height.
Avoid packing passengers or luggage in ways that restrict movement or compromise cabin safety. Check that everyone is seated correctly and securely before driving.
Check that all required driving and vehicle documents are valid and accessible. Save key contacts offline in case mobile reception is unreliable.
A valid driving licence (SIM) and vehicle registration (STNK).
Workshop contacts and roadside assistance details along your route.
Emergency contacts for family or friends.
Your car insurance policy details and claims procedure for covered incidents.
If you already have car insurance, check that the policy is active and save the insurer’s contact details for reporting a claim if needed.
Road trips involve unpredictable risks, from accidents and vehicle damage to theft. In addition to preparing the car itself, consider the car insurance coverage that best suits your needs. Two common options in Indonesia are comprehensive car insurance (also called all risk car insurance) and Total Loss Only (TLO) car insurance.
Comprehensive car insurance, often marketed in Indonesia as all risk car insurance, can cover both partial and total vehicle damage arising from risks insured under the policy. Depending on the wording, these may include collisions, impacts, and theft.
Comprehensive or all risk insurance may be worth considering for vehicles used regularly or on long journeys. However, “all risk” does not mean every event is automatically covered. Flooding and certain natural disasters may require additional coverage, so always check exclusions and endorsements.
Total Loss Only (TLO) insurance is a type of car insurance designed for total losses. Generally, TLO car insurance provides compensation if estimated repair costs reach at least 75% of the vehicle’s value immediately before the loss, or if the vehicle is stolen under circumstances covered by the policy.
Unlike comprehensive car insurance, TLO insurance generally does not cover minor or partial damage below the total-loss threshold. Because it offers narrower protection, TLO car insurance often has lower premiums than comparable comprehensive cover.
The best car insurance is not necessarily the policy with the lowest premium. Whether you are comparing the best comprehensive car insurance options or searching for affordable car insurance, focus on the protection that fits your vehicle and travel needs.
Coverage: Check which events and types of damage are insured.
Premiums and deductibles: Compare price, benefits, and out-of-pocket costs.
Exclusions: Understand circumstances that are not covered.
Claims service: Review reporting procedures and available assistance.
Optional extensions: Consider flood protection or third-party liability where relevant.
Understanding the differences between comprehensive (all risk) insurance and TLO insurance can help you select suitable protection before a long drive. For more information, read these related Oona articles:
Guide to All Risk Car Insurance 2026 — benefits, coverage, and key considerations
When Should You Choose TLO Car Insurance Instead of All Risk? — factors to consider
Comprehensive (All Risk) vs TLO Car Insurance in Indonesia — a coverage comparison
Do not let unexpected risks disrupt your year-end road trip. Explore Oona Car Insurance and its available protection benefits.
Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
Comprehensive and TLO coverage | Options for partial damage, total loss, or theft, depending on the policy. |
600+ partner workshops | Access to Oona’s network of more than 600 partner repair shops across Indonesia. |
24/7 roadside assistance | Emergency roadside assistance services, subject to eligibility and terms. |
24/7 claims support | Support for reporting incidents and submitting vehicle insurance claims. |
Optional additional coverage | Options may include authorised workshops, third-party liability, and driver personal accident cover. |
Electric car insurance | Coverage options for electric vehicles, including battery damage caused by insured events, subject to policy terms. |
Disclaimer: Benefits, service availability, extensions, and coverage depend on the selected plan and the policy’s terms and conditions.
Planning an electric vehicle road trip? Oona also offers electric car insurance to help protect against insured risks.
Use this checklist before starting your trip:
Tyres and spare tyre inspected.
Oil, brakes, battery, lights, wipers, and vehicle fluids checked.
Main and alternative routes selected.
Rest areas and fuel or charging stops identified.
Weather forecast checked.
Driving schedule and rest breaks planned.
Luggage secured without blocking visibility.
Emergency supplies packed.
Vehicle documents and key contacts saved.
Car insurance benefits and claims procedures understood.
If you are driving an electric vehicle, factor its driving range and charging locations into your plans. Do not rely on a single charging station. Identify backup options and allow a battery buffer for unexpected delays or route changes.
Check the battery condition and charge level before departure.
Choose primary and backup charging stations.
Allow for potential queues during the holidays.
Do not wait until the battery is critically low to find a charger.
Also review your electric car insurance policy to understand whether and how the battery and related components are covered.
Safety should always come first. Stop or delay your journey if the driver is extremely sleepy, the car develops a serious fault, visibility is very poor, or road and weather conditions make travel unsafe. Arriving later is better than taking unnecessary risks.
A year-end road trip in 2026 can be a memorable holiday experience when planned carefully. Before setting off, check the car, driver, passengers, route, weather, and essential supplies—not just the destination.
Use the 10 tips above as your pre-departure checklist. In addition to vehicle maintenance, consider whether comprehensive car insurance or TLO car insurance better suits your needs. Appropriate cover can help reduce the financial impact of certain unexpected incidents, subject to your policy. Enjoy your year-end journey with protection that fits your vehicle. Explore Oona Car Insurance.
