How do you know what types you need? Is it required by your state? Are there ways to save money and still have the right amount of coverage? Below we detail 5 types of coverages and provide a few scenarios where you would benefit from having a non-required coverage added to your policy along with some tips to save some money depending on your vehicle and budget.
1. Liability Insurance
Liability insurance covers you in the event you are in a covered car accident and it is determined the accident is a result of your actions. Liability insurance will cover the cost of repairing any property damaged by an accident as well as the medical bills from resulting injuries. Most states have a minimum requirement for the amount of liability insurance coverage that drivers must have. If you can afford it, however, it is usually a good idea to have liability insurance that is above your state's minimum liability coverage requirement, as it will provide extra protection in the event you are found at fault for an accident, as you are responsible for any claims that exceed your coverage's upper limit. You wouldn't want to run the risk of having to pay a large amount of money because your policy limit has been exceeded.
2. Collision Coverage
If there is a covered accident, collision coverage will pay for the repairs to your car. If your car is totaled (where the cost to repair it exceeds the value of the vehicle) in an accident, collision coverage will pay the value of your car. .
If your car is older, it may not be worth carrying collision coverage on it, depending on the value. On the other hand, if you have a more expensive car or one that is relatively new, collision insurance can help get you back to where you were before any damage to your car. Note: If you have a lienholder, this coverage is required.
3. Comprehensive Coverage
What if something happens to your car that is unrelated to a covered accident - weather damage, you hit a deer, your car is stolen - will your insurance company cover the loss? Liability insurance and collision coverage cover accidents, but not these situations.These situations are covered by Comprehensive (other than Collision) coverage.
Comprehensive coverage is one of those things that is great to have if it fits in your budget. Anti-theft and tracking devices on cars can make this coverage slightly more affordable, but carrying this type of insurance can be costly, and may not be necessary, especially if your car is easily replaceable. Note: If you have a lienholder, this coverage is required.
4. Personal Injury Protection
While Comprehensive coverage may be something you don’t need to purchase, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is something you should. The costs associated from an accident can quickly add up, and in order to cover those costs Personal Injury Protection is available. With this coverage, your medical bills along with those of your passengers will be paid, no matter who is at fault for an accident. Note: This coverage is not available in all states.
5. Uninsured /Underinsured Motorist Protection
While state laws mandate that all drivers should be insured, this is unfortunately not always the case. Another issue that can arise is that while a driver may have liability insurance, many states have relatively low minimum coverage requirements that may not be enough to cover all of the expenses of an accident. So, if someone is legally responsible for damages related to an accident, you won't receive any payment if they do not have coverage or you will receive less than you need to cover the cost of damages if your damages exceed their coverage amount. This is the type of situation where Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Protection would help with expenses.
Saving tip: It's usually relatively inexpensive to add uninsured/underinsured motorist protection to your car insurance policy, especially considering the amount of protection it offers.
This information in this newsletter is a summary only. It does not include all terms and conditions and exclusions of the services described. Please refer to the actual policy for complete details of coverage and exclusions. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to underwriting review and approval.
Sources: www.iihs.com, www.insurance.com, www.carinsurance.com
FAQs
5 Types of Car Insurance Coverage Explained
- Liability Insurance.
- Collision Coverage.
- Comprehensive Coverage.
- Personal Injury Protection.
- Uninsured /Underinsured Motorist Protection.
Home or property insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, health insurance, and automobile insurance are five types that everyone should have.
What are the differences between the types of car insurance? ›
The most basic type of car insurance coverage, liability, covers another driver's injuries or property damage if you're found liable for an accident, up to the limits of your policy. Comprehensive and collision coverage, which are optional, can help cover costs to repair or replace your car, regardless of fault.
How many types of coverage are there? ›
The most common types of insurance coverages include life, health, auto, and homeowners.
What does the 10 mean in 25/50/10? ›
A policy with 25/50/10 limits means your insurance will pay up to $25,000 for bodily injuries per person, up to $50,000 for bodily injuries per accident, and up to $10,000 for property damage per accident. You, the policyholder, must pay for any damage beyond these limits, so it's important to have sufficient coverage.
What is the most basic type of vehicle insurance coverage? ›
1. Liability coverage. Auto liability coverage is mandatory in most states. Drivers are legally required to purchase at least the minimum amount of liability coverage set by state law.
What is the best car insurance in the US? ›
Best Car Insurance Companies of May 2024
| Best car insurance category | Company winner |
|---|
| Best insurance company overall | Travelers |
| Best insurance company for affordability | NJM |
| Best insurance company for accident forgiveness | Geico |
| Best insurance company for having few customer complaints | American Family |
4 more rowsMay 20, 2024
An insurance premium is the amount you pay each month (or each year) to keep your insurance policy active. Your premium amount is determined by many factors, including risk, coverage amount and more – depending on the type of insurance you have.
What type of car insurance is the cheapest? ›
Which type of car insurance is cheapest? Typically, fully comprehensive insurance is the least expensive, though prices are influenced by individual circ*mstances.
What is fully comprehensive insurance? ›
What is comprehensive car insurance? In a nutshell, comprehensive car insurance cover – sometimes known as fully comprehensive cover, pays out if you damage your car, someone else's car or injure someone in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive car insurance also covers you against fire and theft.
Key Takeaways
Insurance is a contract (policy) in which an insurer indemnifies another against losses from specific contingencies or perils. There are many types of insurance policies. Life, health, homeowners, and auto are among the most common forms of insurance.
What are the four levels of coverage? ›
Plans in the Marketplace are presented in 4 health plan categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. (“Catastrophic” plans are also available to some people.) Health plan categories are based on how you and your plan split the costs of your health care.
What are the three types of car insurance? ›
The three key types of car insurance are liability insurance, collision coverage and comprehensive insurance. Liability insurance covers damages caused to other people, while collision and comprehensive coverage take care of repairs that must be done for your car.
What is the difference between policy coverage and vehicle coverage? ›
For example, in motor insurance, coverage provides damage protection, whereas the policy specifies how that protection is provided, such as deductibles and premiums.
What does 25/50/10 mean in insurance? ›
For example, an insurance policy with split limits of 25/50/10 means $25,000 is the maximum amount payable by the policy for the bodily injury per person; $50,000 is the maximum payable by the policy per accident; the third number deals with property damage, which is discussed below.
What are the 4 recommended type of insurance? ›
Four types of insurance that most financial experts recommend include life, health, auto, and long-term disability.
What are the three basic parts of full coverage insurance? ›
Full coverage car insurance is protection that includes collision, comprehensive, and liability coverage. Often, you can supplement your insurance with uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection, medical payments, gap insurance, and other coverage options.
What are the 3 parts of an auto insurance policy? ›
Components of Auto Insurance
Your policy must contain three major parts: liability insurance for bodily injury, liability insurance for property damage, and uninsured motorist coverage. Optional coverage includes underinsured motorists, medical expense coverage, collision, and comprehensive coverage.
