There isn’t a single person who looks forward to buying insurance coverage, especially when they are aware that they could find lower prices if they just compared rates. People have so many auto insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and though it is a good thing to have a selection, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.
The quickest method to compare car insurance rates is to know most of the bigger providers provide online access to give free rates quotes. To start a quote, the only thing you need to do is give them some information such as if the car is leased, whether the vehicles are used for commuting, whether you are single or married, and if you are currently licensed. The rating information gets transmitted to insurance companies and you will receive price estimates with very little delay.
When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you can’t answer these questions, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and you can get the answers you need.
Knowing the specifics of a auto insurance policy aids in choosing the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Auto insurance terms can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Below you’ll find the normal coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.
Collision coverages – This will pay to fix damage to your Amigo caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers things such as scraping a guard rail, damaging your car on a curb, backing into a parked car, colliding with a tree and driving through your garage door. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as hitting a deer, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hitting a bird and vandalism. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – This provides protection from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Usually the UM/UIM limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Medical expense insurance – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for bills like pain medications, EMT expenses, dental work and X-ray expenses. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Liability – Liability coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to other people or property that is your fault. It protects YOU from claims by other people, and does not provide coverage for your injuries or vehicle damage.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show liability limits of 50/100/50 that means you have a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $100,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit which provides one coverage limit without having the split limit caps.
Liability can pay for claims like bail bonds, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, court costs, loss of income and structural damage. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.