Car insurance isn’t a one-size fits all service. It can be difficult to determine how much auto insurance you need if you don’t know what you should base your decision on. It is so important. Even though most people don’t think about their auto insurance every day, if you are in need of coverage for an accident or another unexpected event, it can be expensive, stressful, and even fatal.
Paying too much each month is a waste of money that you and your family could be using in other ways. It can ease your mind and make it easier to plan for unexpected events.
Factors that Impact Coverage
Rates are determined by many factors, including your age, gender, credit rating and credit score. Your location can also make a difference. The state you live in can have a significant impact on your insurance rates. Although you won’t make the decision to move because your auto insurance is too high, it can be useful information.
It can be confusing to purchase an insurance policy. How can you determine how much coverage to buy? Asking an auto insurance agent to tell you how much coverage to purchase will likely result in him telling you to get as much as you can. Auto insurance isn’t that easy. The minimum coverage required by your state is one of the first things you should find out. The next step is to determine what minimum auto insurance coverage provides. What coverage is available and how much does it cost? What protection does it provide? These definitions of coverage can be helpful:
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage for physical damage should cover your vehicle as well as any other vehicles. Comprehensive physical damage coverage also covers any other vehicles you drive in case of losses other than a collision. Comprehensive insurance protects your car in the event that it is stolen or damaged.
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage protects your car from damage caused by an accident. This coverage will cover the cost of repairing your car, less the deductible. This coverage can be dropped if your car is older, as it covers only the cash value.
Health Coverage
If you or your passengers are injured in an accident, Medical Payments will pay for the medical costs. If a vehicle strikes you, pedestrian coverage may be available. No matter who is at fault, this coverage will cover you.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you and your passengers from bodily injury caused by another motorist’s inability to pay insurance. This coverage covers accidents that are not your fault. Uninsured motorist coverage may be available in some states to cover damage to your vehicle. In the event that you are involved in an accident with uninsured drivers, this coverage is important to have.
Personal Injuries Coverage
Personal Injury Protection pays for the medical, hospital, and funeral expenses of the insured driver, any passengers in the vehicle with him/her, and pedestrians that are struck by him/her.
Property Damage Liability
Property Damage Liability protects you in the event that your car causes property damage to another person. If someone files a lawsuit against your car, this coverage will provide legal defense. You should have enough coverage to cover any damage to your vehicle or other objects.
Reimbursement for Rental Car
Rental Car Reimbursement pays for the rental of a car while your vehicle is being repaired or is not drivable.
Consider your assets when deciding on the type of coverage that you need. What are you required to protect against your vehicle being damaged or injures?