Auto insurance can seem confusing. But once you understand the
different types of coverages that make up your policy, it’s not
difficult at all. Your auto insurance is really a package of seven
primary coverages. Taken together, these coverages make up a standard
auto policy. Each of these coverages has its own separate premium. Your
premium payment is the total of these separate premiums.
In addition to the primary coverages, for additional premiums you can also add on more coverages. Contact us to find out more.
Bodily injury liability
provides protection if you injure or kill someone while operating your
car. It also provides for a legal defense if another party in the
accident files a lawsuit against you.
In the event of a
serious accident, you want enough insurance to cover a judgment against
you in a lawsuit without jeopardizing your personal assets.
Bodily injury liability covers injury to people, not your vehicle.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to have the same level of coverage for all
of your cars.
- Medical payments, no-fault or personal injury protection coverage
usually pays for the medical expenses of the injured driver and
passengers in your car. There may also be coverage if you’re injured by
a vehicle as a pedestrian.
- Uninsured motorists coverage
pays for your injuries caused by an uninsured driver or, in some
states, a hit-and-run driver, in an accident that is not your fault. In
some states, there’s also uninsured motorist coverage for damage to
your vehicle. Given the large number of uninsured motorists, this is
very important coverage to have, even in states with no-fault insurance.
- Comprehensive physical damage coverage
pays for losses resulting from incidents other than collision. For
example, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car if it is
stolen or damaged by flood, fire, or animals. To keep your premiums
low, select as high a deductible as you feel comfortable paying
out-of-pocket.
- Collision coverage pays for
damage to your car when your car hits, or is hit by, another vehicle or
other object. To keep your premiums low, select as large a deductible
as you feel comfortable paying out-of-pocket. For older cars, consider
dropping this coverage, since coverage is normally limited to the cash
value of your car.
- Property damage liability
protects you if your car damages someone else’s property. It also
provides you with legal defense if another party files a lawsuit
against you. It’s a good idea to purchase enough of this insurance to
cover the amount of damage your car might do to another vehicle or
object.
- Rental reimbursement coverage pays for
a rental vehicle (usually up to $25 a day) when the insured's vehicle
is out of commission as a result of a loss covered under comprehensive
or collision coverage.