What Type of Auto Insurance Should Drivers Get?
Disclaimer: Quality Assured Collision Center is not a licensed insurance agent. This advice should not replace the guidance of a licensed auto insurance agent.
While drivers may not have a choice when it comes to getting car insurance, they do have several choices in the types of coverage. This article will guide you through understanding what types of auto insurance to obtain and give you peace of mind in the event that you are involved in a collision.
The type of car insurance you should get depends on how much you are willing to spend, and what may or may not be required by your state. Auto insurance usually encompasses at least one of the following three buckets: Property (relating to damage to your car), Liability (relating to damage to another individual’s car, or municipal property), or Medical (relating to health expenses incurred as a result of an accident).
Let’s take a look at the six basic types of auto insurance available for drivers in the United States.
Bodily Injury Liability
Bodily injury liability insurance is relevant when the policy holder, or any drivers covered under the policy, cause bodily harm to another individual as a result of a car accident. This is among the most important types of car insurance, and most states will require a minimum amount to be selected. However, drivers may elect to purchase more than the state minimum. That’s advisable! The cost of medical bills can sometimes mean a large lawsuit.
Personal Injury Auto Insurance
Let’s talk about Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. It follows the same principle as bodily injury liability, except that it is meant to cover liablilty in the event that you, or someone on your policy, injures another party. PIP is also sometimes called “no-fault” insurance, and its necessity varies by state.
Collision
This covers the cost to either fix or replace the policy holder’s car in the event of damage to it, particularly if this damage was caused by a collision with a foreign object (i.e. another car or telephone pole). It can also apply if there was no foreign object involved at all, like in a roll-over accident. It is usually optional but is also usually only available with the purchase of comprehensive coverage. Collision insurance is what kicks in to get your vehicle repaired in the event that the vehicle can be restored to pre-accident condition by a body shop like Quality Assured Collision Center.
Comprehensive
When a driver elects to purchase comprehensive insurance, what they receive is coverage of damage by natural causes (e.g. floods or fires) or crimes like theft or being vandalized. Once you pay the deductible, comprehensive insurance may repair or replace up to the actual value of the car.
Under-insured or Uninsured Motorist Auto Insurance
In the event a person without insurance, or whose insurance coverage is insufficient to cover your expenses, causes an accident, this type of insurance can potentially help out with the costs.
Medical Payments Coverage
Medical payments coverage operates a lot like PIP, but applies solely to medical expenses, such as x-rays or surgery. And like PIP, whether it’s required varies by state.
Because the types of car insurance are so varied, the choice of which to get is heavily dependent on your personal needs and where you live. If insuring a new driver or looking for a change in coverage, give your insurance company a call and discuss the various plans to find out any state requirements and find the best fit for you.
We wish you well on your journey and hope this information helps you think about the type of auto insurance that is right for you. Should you ever find yourself in a collision, give us a call. We are experts at handling the claims process and getting your vehicle back on the road.
Quality Assured Collision Center is one of Yelp’s highest rated auto body shops in the Long Beach area. To-date we have over 200 honest reviews from real customers. Many of our reviews offer real pictures from real customers. These people were not just satisfied, they were so happy they wanted others to see for themselves. You can check out our reviews for yourself here.