What is auto insurance? Auto insurance is basically a contract between you and an insurance provider that pays you for financial protection in case of theft or damage to property. In return for your paying a regular premium, the insurer agrees to cover your damages as outlined in your coverage. Your auto insurance coverage may vary based on the type of vehicle that you own and the amount of cover that you require. In most states, there is a minimum amount of liability auto insurance that each driver must maintain in order to legally drive a car.
Some states require you to have uninsured motorist coverage, which provides financial protection in case you are in an accident with someone who is uninsured. Without this protection, your damages would have been paid by the other driver. In the event that the other driver’s insurance company refuses to pay for any damages, you can file a suit to recover your medical expenses and other losses. Your auto insurance company agrees that they will pay all legally-required compensation to you in the case of an accident.
You may be required to have uninsured motorist coverage in addition to liability auto insurance if the person who hit you has no insurance or doesn’t have enough coverage to cover your claims. For example, if you hit a deer, it is likely that the other driver has no insurance or has too little to provide coverage. You would need to file a claim for the full medical costs, any treatment for injuries that you have received, and your lost wages. The uninsured motorist coverage reimburses you for your injuries in this situation. However, this does not always happen, and you may be required to file a claim.
Some states also require uninsured motorist coverage for hit-and-run accidents. It provides financial protection against the cost of medical bills, if you are hurt in a car accident that was caused by someone who is driving without sufficient coverage. Some people don’t consider this coverage a necessity because they think it will be very expensive to obtain. However, it is important to have this type of protection in order to protect you financially.
Collision coverage covers the repair or replacement of your vehicle in the case that it is damaged by another car or object. It is very important to choose the right deductible for the right amount of coverage. There are several factors that affect the amount of your deductible, such as your age, driving record, how long you’ve been driving, and whether you have a high or low deductible. The lower your deductible is, the less you will pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses or any repair costs you incur.
You can reduce your monthly premium by raising your deductible. However, be aware that you will be responsible for the deductible in the case of an accident. Also be aware that if you are found to be at fault in a car accident, you could be held liable for all of the other person’s damages, including legal responsibility. Your insurance company may settle the claim in lieu of going to court, but you may have to pay court costs and attorney fees, which could make your deductible go up. Therefore, it is usually better to raise your deductible to a higher level.
Comprehensive coverage or liability insurance covers your vehicle, as well as other people, who might be injured in a wreck with you. If there is another vehicle involved in a wreck with you, comprehensive insurance will pay to fix or replace your vehicle. It also pays to repair or replace the other vehicle, if possible. This kind of insurance protects you if the other person’s vehicle has been damaged or wrecked. Your insurer may also provide you with an umbrella policy that covers you in cases where you are sued for damages that you cause because of the negligence or recklessness of other drivers.
Most people opt for bodily injury liability limits when they are shopping for coverage. Bodily injury liability limits will cover the repairs or replacement of your vehicle, minus any additional charges you may have incurred. For the remaining amount, the insurance pays for any medical expenses or funeral expenses that arise from a covered accident. However, keep in mind that uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist protection will compensate you for any medical expenses after an accident, but will not cover the costs of repair or replacement if you are not at fault. These policies are usually the most affordable option for full coverage.