Auto Insurance Coverage

Most states require you to carry some kind of auto insurance when you operate a motor vehicle. You're also required to provide proof of insurance before you can license your vehicle or renew your driver's license. Although coverage is mandatory, the amount and kinds of coverage can vary.

Often, the required minimum coverage may not be enough to adequately replace your assets or replace your earnings. Here is a list of auto insurance topics you'll want to know about:

Fault/No-Fault - Varies based on state law.

Collision - Pays damages to your own vehicle. Generally, there is a deductible.

Comprehensive - Pays for losses from fire, theft, storm, etc. Generally, there is a deductible.

Deductible - The amount of a covered loss you agree to pay.

Bodily Injury - Pays for injury to others when you are at fault.

Property Damage - Pays for property damage when you are at fault.

Medical Payments - Pays for your own or your passenger's medical expenses.

Personal Injury Protection - In no-fault states, this covers a broad assortment of medical expenses.

First Party Benefits - This covers loss of income, medical expense, accidental death and funeral expenses on a no-fault first party basis.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist - Pays for coverage to you if other driver is not insured or is underinsured.

Fault or No-Fault

If you live in a no-fault state, your own insurance company pays for any loss or injuries to you, no matter who causes the accident. In at-fault states, the person at fault in the accident or their insurance company pays.

With no-fault, most claims can be settled quickly, without litigation over who's at fault. However, No-Fault can limit your right to sue (limited tort) to recover damages. Individual states set the coverage and place limits on your rights to sue, so check with us.

 

Collision

Collision coverage pays when your own vehicle is damaged in an accident. Generally, the coverage reimburses you the amount to repair or replace your damaged vehicle, minus the agreed-on deductible. It is usually a coverage that you should carry on your auto until its value has depreciated substantially.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive pays for damages to your car caused by an incident other than a collision with another car or object. You're covered for fire, theft, riots, collisions with animals, storms, falling objects, earthquakes, floods and other natural occurrences. Often, comprehensive insurance includes a daily rental provision that pays a certain amount toward a rental car in conjunction with a theft claim. Like collision, comprehensive coverage generally includes a deductible.  

Deductible

The deductible is the amount of the loss you agree to pay or absorb in the event of an accident. With auto insurance, deductible amounts typically range from $250 to $1,000 per claim. That means you absorb the deductible amount every time you make a claim. Choosing a higher deductible reduces the cost of your insurance.

Bodily Injury

This coverage pays, subject to policy limits and conditions, all sums which you are legally obligated to pay any person(s) injured or killed in an accident where you are at fault. Coverage includes medical expenses and lost wages.

Property Damage

Property Damage is liability coverage for damage to another's personal property, such as an automobile, house or fence, in a collision where you are at fault.

Medical Payments

Pays for your own or your passenger's medical expenses.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal injury coverage pays a broader range of medical costs than does Medical Payments coverage. Coverage includes provisions for lost wages and the replacement of the services of someone injured in an accident. Personal Injury coverage is generally required in states with No-Fault and available in some other states.

First Party Benefits

This covers loss of income, medical expense, accidental death and funeral expenses on a no-fault first party basis.

Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist

Uninsured Motorist covers you in an accident with a motorist who has no insurance or is underinsured. In some states or insurance policies, Underinsured Motorist protection is usually separate from Uninsured Motorist coverage. Uninsured Motorist protection also covers you if you're injured by a hit-and-run driver. Coverage includes payment of medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering. It is required in many states.