The right auto insurance policy
can help get you back on the road quickly if your car is damaged or
destroyed by accident, fire, theft, or other covered event. Your policy
also provides protection against medical and legal expenses resulting
from injury, loss of life, or property damage caused by an accident
involving your vehicle.
An
auto insurance policy is a contract between you and an insurance
company. You pay a premium, and in exchange, the insurance company
promises to pay for specific car-related financial losses during the
term of the policy. Work with one of our experienced Account Managers
to determine the best coverages for you.
What kind of insurance do I need?
In some states, to drive you must carry:
- Liability coverage - to pay for losses you cause others, or:
- No-fault
coverage - to pay you and your passengers for medical and related
expenses caused by injuries from a car accident, regardless of who is
at fault, or
- Both coverages.
Even
in states where coverage isn’t required, drivers must, by law, be able
to pay for losses they cause others. Having insurance is the simplest
way for most people to comply. To finance a car, it is usually
necessary to have insurance which covers damage to your vehicle. This
includes:
Collision
Collision
insurance coverage pays for damage caused to your vehicle in an
automobile accident, when you are "at fault". Standard collision
coverage will pay for any repairs up to the fair market value of your
car. Collision coverage usually also comes with an insurance
deductible. It's the amount of money you pay toward repairs before your
collision insurance kicks in. The higher the deductible you're willing
to pay, the less the collision coverage will cost.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
Comprehensive
coverage is very similar to collision coverage - the main difference is
that comprehensive covers damage caused to your vehicle caused by any
unknown party or "act of God". Vandalism, flood, hurricane, theft,
windshield damage and fire are all events usually covered by
comprehensive automobile insurance. Like collision, comprehensive will
pay up to the fair market value of your car (less your insurance
deductible.) And although it's not legally required by any state, you
will probably need it if your car is financed.