Avoid Accidents During the Holiday Rush: Top Insurance Benefits and Free Vehicle Checks

Daniel Kim 2026.02.10 Views

As the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, the risk of car accidents is on the rise. Insurance companies are stepping up their efforts to support safe driving by enhancing pre-trip inspections and coverage guidance. Recent data shows a spike in pedestrian accidents and injuries on the day before the holiday, prompting major insurers to offer free vehicle checks and temporary driver policies to help prevent incidents.

According to industry sources on February 10, auto insurers have prepared various vehicle inspection services to handle the surge in holiday travel.

The day before the holiday is particularly risky, with long-distance driving, traffic jams, and accumulated fatigue creating a perfect storm for accidents. Extra caution is needed during this time.

Data from the Financial Supervisory Service and the General Insurance Association reveals that from 2023 to 2025, pedestrian accidents related to auto insurance peaked on the eve of the Lunar New Year holiday. Over the past three years, accident statistics show that the day when travelers hit the road (February 15 this year) saw an average of 13,233 incidents, a 23.1% increase compared to normal days. Injuries also spiked during this period. The day before the holiday recorded 5,973 minor injuries and 386 serious injuries, up 33.3% and 34.0% respectively from regular days.

Notably, serious injuries were 9.6% higher than usual on the day before the holiday.

Unlicensed driving incidents spiked by 50.0% and 40.9% on the day before and the day of the holiday, respectively. The number of victims in these accidents rose by 62.5% and 25.0% compared to regular days.

Any Samsung Fire & Marine auto insurance policyholder can access these inspections, which cover more than 20 critical components crucial for long-distance travel safety, including tire pressure and brake wear.

The company is also highlighting key auto insurance policies for holiday driving. Their temporary driver policy allows anyone to drive the insured vehicle during the policy period, which is particularly useful when sharing driving duties.

Drunk driving and unlicensed driving incidents also increased during the holiday period. Drunk driving accidents surged by 24.1% on the day before the holiday, compared to the daily average of 72 incidents. The number of drunk driving victims during the holiday was 15.8% higher than usual.

To promote safer holiday travel, insurers are expanding their free vehicle inspection services and enhancing coverage benefits. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance is offering free inspections at over 450 Anikara locations nationwide. This proactive approach aims to prevent accidents and give customers peace of mind during their travels.

For those driving someone else’s car or a rental, Samsung Fire & Marine offers the One-Day Anikara Auto Insurance. This flexible policy provides coverage from 6 hours to 10 days, starting immediately upon purchase.

DB Insurance is running free vehicle inspections for auto insurance customers from February 9 to 14 at Promika World locations across the country. Their service includes basic vehicle checks, interior sanitization, and tire pressure checks.

To accommodate weekend customers, the service will operate through Saturday, February 14. Appointments can be made by phone through Promika World.
AXA Insurance is offering practical services through its AXA Direct Auto Insurance, including temporary driver policies, roadside assistance, and 16 types of maintenance coupons. They’re providing discounts on engine oil services, filter replacements, and wiper blades for both domestic and imported vehicles.

Customers can access these discounts by downloading coupons from the AXA Insurance website or app and using them at Speedmate locations nationwide. However, vehicles over 1.3 tons are excluded from these services.

AXA’s temporary driver policy allows policyholders to designate additional drivers, including family members or a specified individual, for periods ranging from 1 to 30 days. This coverage extends to accidents that occur while a designated driver is operating the vehicle.

Additionally, AXA is running a Winter Vehicle Care Service until February 28, enabling auto insurance customers to check essential winter maintenance items, including tire condition, battery health, and fluid levels.

By taking advantage of these services and staying alert, drivers can significantly reduce their risk of accidents during the busy Lunar New Year travel period.(Reporting by Eun-young Kang, Automotive News Correspondent)