How Your Insurance Policy Safeguards Your Family Vacation - L&T Agency Newsletter July 2026 Edition

Summer travel often comes with a lot of moving pieces—flights, hotels, road trips, rental cars, and time away from home. Before you leave, it can be helpful to understand what parts of your insurance may travel with you, and where there may be limits.

For many drivers, auto insurance may extend to a rental car when the rental is within the United States. In some cases, coverage may also extend to Canada or certain U.S. territories, depending on the insurance company and policy. Generally, the coverage that extends is based on what you already carry on your current auto policy.

For example, if your auto policy includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, those protections may apply to a covered rental vehicle in a similar way. However, this does not mean every rental-related cost is automatically covered. One common gap to be aware of is loss of use, which is a fee a rental company may charge while a damaged vehicle is being repaired and unavailable to rent. This is often not covered by a standard personal auto policy.

It is also important to know that rental vehicles outside of the United States, U.S. territories, and sometimes Canada are typically not covered through your personal auto policy. If you are renting a vehicle internationally, it is usually important to purchase coverage through the rental company or confirm available protection before driving.

Before traveling, consider asking:
• Does my auto policy extend to rental cars where I am traveling?
• Do I carry comprehensive and collision coverage on my current vehicle?
• Would loss of use, administrative fees, or rental company charges be covered?
• Am I renting outside the U.S., Canada, or U.S. territories?
• Should I purchase the rental company’s insurance for this trip?

This is also a good time to revisit last month’s reminder about Personal Umbrella protection. An umbrella policy provides additional liability protection above your existing auto and property policies. In many cases, umbrella liability protection can follow you anywhere in the world for covered situations where you are held legally responsible—so long as the act was not intentional.

Travel should be enjoyable, not confusing. Taking a few minutes to review your coverage before you leave can help you better understand what protection may follow you, what may not, and where extra coverage may be worth considering.

Some belongings are more than everyday personal property. Jewelry, musical instruments, cameras, golf equipment, artwork, and other valuable items may need more specific protection than what is included under a standard home, condo, or renters policy.

This is where scheduled personal property can be helpful. Scheduling an item means listing it separately on your policy with its own description and value. While it may cost a little more, it can provide broader coverage for certain special items.

For example, scheduled items may often be covered in situations that standard personal property coverage may not fully address—such as an item going missing. In some cases, even if one earring from a pair is lost, scheduled coverage may help provide protection depending on the policy and item details.

Common items people may consider scheduling include:
• Jewelry and watches
• Musical instruments
• Cameras and photography equipment
• Golf clubs and equipment
• Artwork or collectibles
• Select firearms, where eligible and allowed by underwriting guidelines

Not every item can be scheduled, and the process usually requires documentation. This may include receipts, appraisals, photos, serial numbers, or other details that help confirm the item’s value and meet underwriting requirements. Proper documentation helps make sure the item is covered accurately and avoids confusion if a claim ever happens.

Another important benefit is that scheduled personal property may provide coverage anywhere in the world. Whether you are traveling, moving between homes, attending an event, or simply carrying an item outside the house, listing certain valuables separately can help your protection follow those items more clearly.

As your life changes, the valuable items you own may change too. Taking time to review special belongings can help ensure your coverage reflects what you actually have—not just what you had when the policy was first written.

Email us with any questions or to schedule a review 👇

Hot summer days can be enjoyable, but they also require a little extra planning—especially for children, older adults, pets, and anyone spending time outside. Whether you are at home, driving across town, or heading out for the day, a few small habits can help keep everyone safer and more comfortable.

At home, try to keep your living space as cool as possible before the heat builds up. Close blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day, use fans safely, avoid using the oven when possible, and drink water regularly even if you do not feel thirsty. The CDC recommends staying in air-conditioned spaces when possible, drinking plenty of fluids, scheduling outdoor activity carefully, wearing lightweight clothing, taking cool showers or baths, and checking on friends or neighbors during extreme heat.

In the car, safety comes first. Never leave children, pets, or anyone who may need assistance inside a parked vehicle—not even for a few minutes. The National Weather Service emphasizes that it is never safe to leave a child, disabled person, or pet locked in a car, and it also recommends locking cars at home so young children cannot climb inside unattended.

A few simple summer heat reminders:
• At home: close blinds, keep water nearby, limit oven use, and check on vulnerable family members or neighbors
• In the car: keep extra water available, use sunshades when parked, check the back seat every time, and never leave children or pets inside
• On the go: bring sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottles, light clothing, and plan outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day when possible

For families with younger children, local splash pads can be a simple way to cool off without planning a full pool day. Here are a few local options to explore before heading out:
• Lake County: Grayslake Park District’s free Splash Pad at Central Park, located near the Aquatic Center Athletic Fields at 250 Library Lane, is listed as free and open to the public during the summer season.
• Cook County / Chicago: Chicago Park District offers water playgrounds and water spray features throughout the city, traditionally operating in the summer months, with locations listed through the park district’s website.
• McHenry County: Crystal Lake Park District lists splash pads at Acorn Alley, Crystal Castle, and Dragonfly Lane, with posted summer hours and safety rules. McHenry Life also maintains a countywide splash pad guide with locations in Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox Lake, Lake in the Hills, McHenry, Woodstock, and more.

Before visiting, it is always a good idea to check the location’s current hours, weather rules, supervision requirements, and whether any fees apply. Splash pads are often weather-dependent, and local park districts may update hours or access rules during the season.

Click here to find local splash pads and summer cooling spots 👇

We believe great service starts with real people who care about helping you feel confident in your protection. This month, we're highlighting Vinny Cook, an important member of our Sales team who helps individuals and families navigate the beginning of their insurance journey at L&T by answering questions, exploring coverage options, and keeping them informed every step of the way.

A quick hello from Vinny:

Hey everyone!

I'm Vinny! My clients call me "My Cousin Vinny", although I haven't won an Oscar, I do know a thing or two about insurance.  I'm proud to be part of the best insurance agency serving Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana, and even more proud to have the opportunity to work with you.

My goal is simple: I want to make insurance less confusing, a little more fun, and a whole lot more personal. I don't believe insurance should feel like a one-time transaction. I want to build relationships with my clients so that 20 or 30 years from now, you still know exactly who your insurance agent is and more importantly, you know I'm just a phone call away.

Whether you're buying your first policy,, buying a home, or just have a question that starts with, "This might be a dumb question..." (trust me, there are no dumb questions) I'm here to help.

You'll always get honest advice, straight answers, and someone who's looking out for your best interests. I'll help you understand your coverage, find every discount you qualify for, and make sure you have the protection that's right for you and your family.

One last favor... if you enjoy working with me, tell your friends and family! Referrals are the biggest compliment I can receive, and I'd love the chance to help the people who are important to you.
Thanks again for trusting me. I look forward to earning that trust for many years to come.

— Vinny "My Cousin Vinny"

Contact Vinny Cook today!

vincentcook7@allstate.com Direct: 224-207-8545

Your experience matters to us. If you have a moment, we invite you to share feedback through our Customer Satisfaction Survey below—your responses help us understand what’s working well and where we can continue improving how we serve you. If you’d also like to share your experience publicly, a Google Review (👈 click) helps others feel confident choosing an agency that values education, clarity, and long-term protection. We truly appreciate you taking the time, whether privately or publicly.

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Prepared by Megan Dinklenburg to bring helpful, real-life insights to our L&T community. Questions or ideas? Please reach out anytime: meganwodek@allstate.com