Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

Auto Liability Coverage

Auto liability insurance coverage pays for the damages suffered by the other parties in an accident for which you are found to be at fault and you are legally responsible. Like accidentally injuring someone, or for damaging another vehicle or other property in an auto accident.

Liability insurance does not cover any expenses related to damage to your property, or any injuries you may suffer. All states require a minimum amount of liability coverage in order to legally drive a vehicle. In some states, you can avoid buying liability coverage if you can prove you have the personal financial resources to cover the minimum requirements levied by the state. Liability insurance covers you when driving any vehicle you own, or if you drive someone else’s car with their permission.

Auto liability coverage falls into two categories:

    Bodily Injury Liability - which covers medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other special damages.
    Property Damage Liability -- which covers damaged property, and may include loss of use.

Liability car insurance also pays legal defense and court costs.

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Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

This auto insurance coverage pays the reasonable and necessary medical expenses for covered persons for treatment due to an auto accident. Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, is sometimes called “no-fault coverage.”

PIP is a complement to bodily injury liability coverage in that it covers approximately 80% of medical expenses including rehabilitation, funeral costs, Lost earnings, and Replacement of services (For example, child care if a parent is disabled.).

Where it differs from bodily injury liability is that it covers you, your passengers, or anyone authorized to drive your vehicle. It also covers you and anyone else named on your policy when driving someone else’s vehicle. This type of coverage is mandatory in 16 states. Your state’s Department of Insurance, or your insurance agent, will be able to tell you if you are required to have it. If you live in a state where it’s optional, you may want to consider adding it to your policy for extra protection.

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Medical Payments

This auto insurance coverage is available in most states. It pays reasonable and necessary medical and funeral expenses for covered persons when those expenses are related to an auto accident.

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Collision Coverage

This auto insurance coverage helps pay for damage to a covered vehicle caused by:

    Collision with another vehicle
    Collision with an object
    A vehicle rollover

A deductible is required.

Collision coverage will pay for the repairs your vehicle needs that is caused by the accident, or to replace your car altogether if the collision causes a total loss, also known as “totaling” the car. The most important thing to remember in this case is, you will be reimbursed for the current value of the vehicle, not the purchase price.

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Comprehensive Insurance

This auto insurance coverage helps pay for loss of or damage to an insured vehicle, not caused by a collision or vehicle rollover. This is the insurance coverage that pays for damage to your car caused by something other than another vehicle.

Examples of this type of damage or loss include:

    Fire
    Wind
    Hail
    Flood
    Vandalism
    Theft
    Hitting an animal
    Tornadoes
    Hurricanes
    Earthquake

A deductible may apply.

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Uninsured Motorist Coverage

This auto insurance coverage pays for damages when a covered person is injured in an auto accident caused by a driver who does not have Liability Insurance.

It covers for damages if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who: carries no auto insurance, or insured by a company that is financially unable to cover your losses, or hits you and flees the scene.

In some states this auto insurance coverage may also pay for property damage.

This type of car insurance coverage varies by state and depends upon policy provisions.

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Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This auto insurance coverage pays for damages when a covered person is injured in an auto accident caused by another driver who has insufficient Liability Insurance.

Application of this type of auto insurance varies by state and depends upon policy provisions.

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Rental Reimbursement

This coverage pays for renting a car when your auto is disabled due to an auto accident.

Daily allowances or limits vary by state or auto insurance policy provisions.

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Emergency Road Service

This auto insurance coverage pays for having your auto towed due to a breakdown.

Towing limits vary by state or policy provisions.

This information is only a general description of the available types of auto insurance and is not a statement of contract. All auto insurance coverages are subject to all policy provisions and applicable endorsements.

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Auto insurance deductible

It is the part of a covered loss that you have agreed to pay with your own money.

If you file a claim against your insurance, you will pay only the amount of the deductible. The insurance company will pay the rest - up to your coverage limit.

When choosing a deductible, you must decide how much you would be willing and able to pay out-of-pocket, if you ever had to file a claim.

Typically, higher deductibles mean lower auto insurance policy premiums.

An auto insurance policy typically covers:

    You and your spouse
    Relatives who live in your home
    Other licensed drivers who have permission to drive your insured vehicle.