Auto Insurance: The Basics

A basic automobile policy safeguards against property damage, liability and medical costs – its actually a package of different coverage.

In short, an auto insurance policy is a form of protection against risks associated wit9h owning and driving a car, which could lead to financial loss if not properly covered by insurance.

What’s in an Auto Policy?
Your Auto Policy may be composed of the following coverage:

Property Damage Coverage.
Pays for the damage you’ve caused to someone else’s automobile property. Does the same if someone was driving your car without permission.

Bodily Injury Liability.
Covers you or a family member in case of injury caused to a third party. Adequate liability insurance is essential given the high cost of going to court and, if you’re found liable, paying the ensuing damages. Most states require liability insurance and the minimum – as much as $100,000 per person and $3000,000 per accident. Check into umbrella policies which expand coverage and increase compensation limits.

Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
Pays the hospital and doctor bills and lost wages incurred by the driver, or passengers, resulting from the accident.

Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage.
Compensates you or a family member if involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist or a hit and run driver. Underinsured reimburses you if the driver at fault has an amount of insurance insufficient to compensate you for a total loss.

Collision Coverage.
While not mandatory, this reimburses damage to your car that results from an accident. Collision generally comes with a deductible, as much as $1,000, which you are required to pay out of pocket in the event of an accident. If the accident was not your fault (and of course it never is), your insurance company might reimburse you for the deductible amount.

Comprehensive Coverage. Reimburses for loss due to theft or damage caused by something other than an accident such as fire, earthquakes, falling objects or getting hit by very large animals such as a deer. This coverage, seldom mandatory, usually comes with a small deductible.
