Holiday Travel Readiness: Why a PHI Cares Membership Matters More Than Ever
Be Prepared Before You Travel This Holiday Season
The holidays are a time for family, connection, and travel. Millions of Americans will hit the road, board flights, or visit loved ones in rural communities. But with that increase in travel comes a higher risk. Between busy highways, unpredictable weather, and remote destinations, it’s important to think ahead about your safety and how you’ll handle an unexpected emergency.
A PHI Cares Membership, the financial-protection program of PHI Air Medical, gives families peace of mind when every second matters. Whether you’re traveling across the state or visiting relatives in a remote area, membership ensures that if you ever require emergency air transport, you’re covered—without the stress of unexpected costs.
[Explore the PHI Cares Coverage Map]
[Read: Why Every Household Needs a First Aid Kit]
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The Holiday Travel Surge and Why It Matters
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), major holiday periods are consistently associated with spikes in motor-vehicle crashes and injuries. In fact, Thanksgiving weekend ranks among the deadliest times of the year on U.S. roads.¹ More vehicles, longer trips, and driver fatigue all play a role.
A 2022 Samsara report found that the week before Thanksgiving saw a 37% increase in trip volume and a rise in harsh-braking incidents compared to other weeks.² When you combine congested highways with holiday stress, adverse weather, and unfamiliar routes, the odds of something going wrong rise dramatically.
That’s why holiday readiness isn’t just about gifts and suitcases—it’s about planning for safety wherever you go.
Rural Roads and Remote Risks
If your plans include visiting relatives in smaller towns or driving through rural areas, you should be aware of the risks. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that although only about 19% of the U.S. population resides in rural areas, nearly half of all fatal crashes occur in these areas.³ Rural routes often lack immediate access to advanced trauma care, and emergency response times can be significantly longer.
This is where a PHI Cares Membership provides essential protection. If a serious injury occurs far from a major hospital, air medical transport can make all the difference—and members never receive a balance bill for medically necessary transports when flown by PHI Air Medical or an affiliated provider.
[Check the PHI Cares Coverage Map]
Common Holiday Hazards (and How PHI Cares Helps)
1. Increased Traffic and Fatigue
More cars mean more accidents. Long drives, late nights, and holiday stress all increase risk. Having an active membership ensures that, in the event of an emergency, air transport costs are covered—so you can focus on recovery, not bills.
2. Remote Roads and Limited Medical Access
Many rural communities are located far from major hospitals and advanced trauma centers. A PHI Cares Membership helps protect families from the high cost of emergency air transport when every minute counts.
3. Weather and Seasonal Conditions
Rain, snow, or icy roads are common this time of year, making emergency response more difficult in the event of a serious accident. A PHI Cares Membership helps cover the cost of a medically necessary air ambulance transport provided by PHI Air Medical or its participating partners.
Why a PHI Cares Membership Should Be Part of Your Holiday Readiness Plan
- Rapid Access to Air Medical Transport – When ground transport isn’t fast enough, PHI Air Medical responds quickly across its nationwide network.
- Coverage Where You Travel – Use the [Coverage Map] to confirm your holiday destinations are within the PHI Air Medical service area.
- Financial Peace of Mind – Emergency air transport can cost tens of thousands of dollars. An air ambulance membership protects your household from those unexpected costs.
- Complements Your Family Safety Kit – Combine your membership with a stocked [First Aid Kit] for complete preparedness.
- Ideal for Road Trips, Rural Visits, and Out-of-State Travel – Coverage follows you wherever PHI Air Medical operates.
Holiday Travel Readiness Checklist
Before you start your trip, take a few minutes to run through this checklist:
- Inspect your vehicle—tires, brakes, wipers, lights, and fluid levels.
- Map your route and note emergency hospitals or air bases nearby.
- Save the PHI Cares Coverage Map to your phone.
- Pack an emergency kit: first-aid supplies, water, flashlight, blankets, and chargers.
- Plan rest breaks every two to three hours to avoid fatigue.
- Check the weather forecast and allow extra travel time.
- Share your route with family and keep your phone charged.
- If you’re driving through rural terrain, ensure your membership details are current and easy to access.
- Drive sober and distraction-free—holiday driving is statistically more dangerous.
The Best Time to Join or Renew Is Now
As Thanksgiving and the winter travel season approach, now is the ideal time to make sure your membership is active. Don’t wait until an emergency strikes to realize you needed coverage. With a PHI Cares Membership, you’ll know that your family is financially protected if a medical flight ever becomes necessary.
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Final Thoughts
The holidays are meant for connection, not worry. As you prepare to travel, take steps to protect what matters most—your family’s safety and financial well-being. With a PHI Cares Membership, you gain peace of mind knowing that if the unexpected happens, help is only a call away.
Travel safely, plan ahead, and let PHI Cares be part of your holiday readiness strategy.
Sources
- National Safety Council, “Holiday Introduction.” https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/holiday-introduction/
- Samsara, “The Dangerous Side of Holiday Travel.” https://www.samsara.com/blog/new-data-shows-dangerous-side-of-holiday-travel
- Governors Highway Safety Association, “America’s Rural Roads: Beautiful and Deadly.” https://www.ghsa.org/resource-hub/americas-rural-roads-beautiful-and-deadly