Car insurance protects you against financial loss if you are ever involved in an accident or if your car gets damaged or is stolen. Understanding the different types of auto insurance and what each one covers will ensure that you have the right coverage for your individual needs. This is not as hard as it sounds, especially if you know what you are looking for.
Understanding Car Insurance
While looking for the right car insurance coverage, you need to be aware of a few essential elements.
- Deductible:
This is the amount that you need to pay out of pocket before your policy kicks in
- Limit:
This is the maximum amount that will be paid out by your policy
- Premium:
This is a specific sum of money that you need to pay at fixed intervals to keep your policy active
- Vehicle coverage:
This includes both collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damages sustained by your car during a collision. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by a wide range of perils, including theft, flood, fire, vandalism, etc.
- Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage:
It compensates you for bodily injuries or property damages caused by motorists with little or no insurance.
- Medical coverage:
It includes medical payments coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. While medical payments coverage pays for third-party related medical bills in the event of an accident, PIP pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, or other accident-related expenses.
- Liability coverage:
This includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Bodily injury liability coverage pays for third-party bodily injury or death in the event of an accident caused by you. Property damage liability covers you for damages caused to someone else’s property.
- Rental reimbursement:
It pays for car rental expenses while your car is being repaired for damages caused by a covered peril.
- Mechanical breakdown insurance:
It covers major car failures that are excluded from the standard auto insurance, such as bad brakes, issues with electrical systems, etc.
- Roadside assistance:
It covers your vehicle in situations where it breaks down, you run out of gas, or you get a flat tire.
- The age of your vehicle and whether or not you have taken a loan for it
- The amount of deductibles you can afford to pay out of pocket
- Your car’s worth
- Your state’s minimum car insurance requirements
Knowing the insurance terminology will give you a better understanding of what is going on if you are ever involved in an accident or have to file a claim. It’s important to ask questions before you purchase a policy. Having all of the answers beforehand is the best way to make an informed decision.
Different Types of Car Insurance Coverage
There is no such thing as “full coverage.” Instead, a typical auto insurance policy includes liability coverages, vehicle coverages, and so on. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of car insurance coverage.
Some Other Available Coverages
How Much Car Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
The following are a few factors that will affect the amount of coverage you need.
Why Choose McCarty Insurance?
When you are buying auto insurance, you want to work with someone you can trust. At McCarty Insurance, we focus on our clients and take the time needed to determine what will work best for them. When it’s time to purchase an auto insurance policy or have your existing one evaluated, reach out to our team of experts. We have the knowledge and experience required to offer tailored solutions for your unique insurance needs. Contact us today to get started!
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