Auto Insurance

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage provides an insured driver protection for bodily injury or property damage for which they are deemed responsible. An example of property damage would be where an insured driver runs over a neighbor's mailbox. In this case, the liability coverage would pay for the damage to the mailbox. An example of bodily injury would be where an insured driver causes physical harm to a third party and the driver is deemed responsible for the injury. Forty-nine of 50 states have requirements for a minimum level of liability coverage and penalize drivers who are not in compliance.

Collision Coverage

When the insured auto strikes another object or vehicle in the event of an accident, collision coverage takes effect. This covers all vehicles, as well as objects such as telephone poles, guardrails, or lampposts. Collision coverage is not required by the state, unlike liability insurance, but it is highly recommended for most drivers. If a car is leased or financed, the lender or lessor will likely require collision coverage. If you have an older car, and the cost of repairing or replacing it would cost more than the car is worth, then collision coverage may not make sense for you. Collision coverage is subject to a deductible.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage covers losses in the case of theft, natural disaster, or any other damage to your vehicle not caused by collision. Comprehensive coverage is not required by the state, unlike liability insurance, but is highly recommended for most drivers. If a car is leased or financed, the lender or lessor will likely require comprehensive coverage. An exception to this recommendation is if you have an older car, and the cost of repairing or replacing it would cost more than the car is worth. Comprehensive coverage is subject to a deductible.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal injury protection (PIP) covers medical expenses, and in some cases, lost wages and other damages for the policyholder and any passengers injured in the vehicle as a result of an accident. People with good medical and disability policies may not need the maximum PIP coverage and may elect to purchase the minimum required by the state. Some states allow drivers to waive PIP coverage entirely.

Medical Coverage

Medical coverage is included as part of PIP and reimburses the costs of medical expenses, hospital visits, and health-related costs for the policyholder and any passengers in the vehicle resulting from an accident. People with good medical and disability policies may elect to purchase the minimum amount of medical coverage required by the state. Some states allow drivers to waive medical coverage entirely.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is designed to provide protection for the insured if he or she is involved in an accident in which an uninsured driver is at fault. This includes drivers who do not carry insurance, drivers whose insurance does not meet the state's minimum financial responsibility laws, drivers whose insurance companies are insolvent, and hit-and-run drivers who cannot be identified. In these cases, the insurance company would pay the insured medical bills, then would try to recoup expenses from the at-fault party. This coverage is very important, yet often overlooked. It is estimated that 1 out of 3 drivers don't carry insurance in some areas, and this number goes up during a recession. Twenty-one states currently require UM/UIM coverage, and these limits are usually the same as the liability limits. In states that do not require UM/UIM coverage, insurance companies are often required to issue such coverage unless rejected explicitly in writing.

Rental Reimbursement Coverage

When your vehicle is being repaired as the result of a covered claim or if it is stolen, rental reimbursement coverage will reimburse you for transportation expenses (including a rental car) up to the limits specified in the policy. This coverage will not pay for a rental car if your car breaks down or is in the shop for regular maintenance. Rental reimbursement insurance is recommended for drivers who absolutely need access to transportation at their convenience. It is not recommended for drivers who have access to a backup vehicle or can wait for repairs to be finished. It is important for a driver to discuss their needs with their agent before deciding whether to purchase rental reimbursement coverage.

Towing and Roadside Assistance

Towing and roadside assistance coverage pays the costs of services due to breakdowns. If your car gets stuck or breaks down, this would pay towing to the nearest point of service and includes the costs for services provided to get the car running again. These services could include tire changes, gasoline delivery, and oil or parts changes. The coverage only reimburses the costs of labor, not the costs for parts. The coverage is usually subject to a total specified limit on costs covered, depending on where you purchase insurance. Towing and roadside assistance is recommended for drivers who do not already have a membership in a comparable roadside assistance company, which provides similar services. It is important to discuss the options with your insurance agent to decide if towing and roadside assistance coverage is right for you.

No-Fault Auto Insurance

No-fault auto insurance is a term used to describe a state's auto insurance program that allows drivers to recover losses from their insurance company, regardless of who was at fault for an accident. The purpose of no-fault insurance is to attempt to lower premium costs by avoiding expensive litigation over causes of accidents, while providing quick payments for injuries. With no-fault insurance, each insurance company pays the damages of its own policyholders, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, fault is still determined, and the driver-at-fault's insurance company will charge that party a higher insurance premium, as they are now higher risk. In no-fault states, motorists can still sue each other, but the injured parties must reach a higher threshold of damages before they can sue—the injury must be very severe or costly. The current states with no-fault insurance laws are Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah.

SR-22 Filing

An SR-22 is a form filed by your insurance company to the state DMV to protect others in case of an accident while driving. It is proof that you've purchased liability insurance. The SR-22 filing is often required to reinstate someone's driving privileges after an uninsured car accident, DUI, or other serious traffic-related offense. If a driver wants to reinstate his or her license but does not own a vehicle, the state may require the driver to provide proof of a non-owner SR-22 policy. If the SR-22 expires or is cancelled, the insurance company is required to issue an SR-26 form, certifying the cancellation of the policy.