INSURE BEFORE YOU GO

Buy car hire insurance before you go. Companies such as Insurance4carhire offer annual worldwide policies that include the USA and cover such things as damage and theft (£114.99; www.insurance4carhire.com). Travel insurance is also essential as US accident and medical costs can be extremely high. Check out firms such as InsureandGo (www.insureandgo.com) which offers insurance whatever your age plus free coverage for children and winter sports.