Looking At Different Types Of Auto Insurance

Auto insurance is at its heart financial protection. You purchase insurance in order to prevent paying thousands of dollars in the event of a collision or other loss. Many different types of insurance are available, covering almost every conceivable means of loss or damage to your vehicle as well as others to which you may cause damage. Very few drivers need to purchase every single type of insurance, so it is helpful to understand each type in order to decide which ones you require.

Property damage insurance is sometimes known as liability insurance. This product is designed to cover damages that you may do to someone else’s vehicle. Your state sets a minimum amount of this insurance that you must carry but the state requirement is often quite low. If the damage you cause exceeds the limits of your insurance you could be sued for the difference. It is therefore wise to purchase as much property damage insurance as you can afford.

Personal injury insurance is usually required by law, though the required amount may vary by state. This insurance pays a portion of your medical bills (generally 80 percent) and a portion of your lost wages (usually 60 percent) if you are injured in an accident. Personal injury protection often includes a small death benefit as well. This insurance may cover your relatives or household members or even everyone in the car, depending on your insurance company’s policies and state mandates.

Bodily injury insurance is extremely important even though it is not required by many jurisdictions. If you are at fault for an accident that injures someone beyond the limits of his personal injury coverage, bodily injury insurance will cover the difference. Otherwise you could be sued for medical expenses.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If you are injured beyond the limits of your personal injury protection in an accident caused by someone who does not carry bodily injury insurance, what are your options? You could certainly sue him and likely win your case. However lawsuits are time consuming and expensive, and if he does not have the money to pay you might be stuck with an uncollectible judgment against him. Instead, your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage could cover your injuries. This protection is reasonably priced and will ensure that you are paid in a timely manner. Purchase this coverage if you can.

Collision insurance will reimburse you for damages to your vehicle if you are at fault. Collision coverage will pay up to the actual cash value of the vehicle less your deductible. If your car is financed you may be required to carry collision insurance. However the premiums are high and this product is not recommended for older low value vehicles.

Comprehensive insurance will pay for damage or loss to your vehicle from both theft and acts of God. Comprehensive coverage will pay up to the actual cash value of the vehicle less your deductible. This insurance is usually required if your car is financed but not recommended for older cars with a low cash value.

Many other options are also available, covering everything from medical payments beyond your personal injury coverage to a rental car while yours is being repaired. Most of these options are good to have if you can afford them but not necessary if you can’t. Always speak with your insurance agent if you have any questions or concerns regarding your coverage options.

Levi Quinn
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/looking-at-different-types-of-auto-insurance-107988.html

Low Cost Car Insurance – There Are Ways To Get It

We have all heard the saying about no pain and no gain. That can also be true when it comes to finding low cost car insurance. The average insurance buyer avoids most of the responsibility when it comes to purchasing car insurance. They rely heavily on the insurance professional or the insurance company. Sometimes that approach works out fine but there is a decided advantage to the buyer who is better informed when shopping for car insurance. Here are some of the things that you need to consider when shopping for car insurance.

Do I want an Agent? – The agency system has been around a long time. The value of a good insurance professional is very high to a lot of people. They like having someone to counsel them on insurance. They don’t like dealing over the telephone or the internet.

Insurance Company – Once you decide on whether you want an agent or not then you can narrow down the field of insurance companies. You might want to select some familiar national names along with an independent agency.

All in One – There is a good chance that you will find lower cost car insurance by combining all of your insurance with one company. The multiple policy discounts along with the convenience makes it worth you time to compare your auto, home and even your life insurance.

Insurance Coverage – The shopping experience is a good time to get creative and ask a lot of questions about discounts and vehicle types. Question the need for coverage and buy what is most important to you.

Self Insuring – The days of low deductibles are slowly vanishing. Low deductibles are expensive and not worth the out of pocket expense. Higher deductibles means you are self-insuring for the first $500 to $1000 on collision and or comprehensive. This will save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the policy.

Please see our recommended source for insurance quotes of all types. It is a site dedicated to quotes and is powered by Insure Me. Insure Me is the leading internet insurance quote provider. They are a broker of many insurance companies to give you the lowest rates.

Greg Haehl
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/low-cost-car-insurance-there-are-ways-to-get-it-14633.html