Why You Need Auto Insurance

The simple fact is that everyone needs auto insurance to drive safely on the road. Even if you don’t have a car, you could still get into an accident. It’s a very dangerous world out there, and if you can’t afford to buy insurance, there’s a chance you could get hurt badly or killed. People can get into accidents just for driving too fast, and while drivers should always be careful, there’s also no guarantee that you’ll be lucky enough to be hit by a drunk driver, who may leave you with serious injuries. You also need to have car insurance to have insurance for any of the expensive modifications you might buy. If you own a vehicle and don’t have auto insurance, you risk getting in trouble with the law.

What does auto insurance cover?

Auto insurance usually covers the damage that can be done to your vehicle, damage to others’ property, medical bills incurred by the injured party, and possible civil liability. If you leave your car keys or driving keys in your car and then a repair shop requires access to your vehicle to get the parts, your insurance will likely cover the tow. Most policies cover the other costs of repairs, up to certain limits. How much do you pay for auto insurance? Typically, auto insurance policies vary based on your age and driver record, the number of drivers (you, your spouse, or a family member), and the amount of miles you drive. Some policies do not provide for cell phone use or non-hands free devices while driving.

What are the types of coverage?

The types of coverage in an auto insurance policy can range from traditional liability coverage (if the car is parked), to comprehensive coverage (if the car is in motion), to injury protection and warranty coverage. Can my wife/husband/family driver share the coverage? The only major risk to a man driving a car is if another driver is negligent and causes an accident. A man cannot save the car and receive a paycheck to take care of the family while paying for the damages. What is a mileage cap on the policy? A mileage cap is a minimum number of miles a driver must drive in a year. There are also limits on the miles you can drive in a day. Do you need collision coverage? Most auto insurance companies offer a minimum amount of coverage called collision coverage.

Who needs auto insurance?

Although most Americans can only hope to make a living as a minimum wage worker, millions of us drive daily to work and rely on our cars as our primary means of transportation. But accidents are all too common, with about 40 percent of Americans suffering from at least one crash in their lifetimes. Most drivers only need basic liability coverage (or a comprehensive policy) to ensure they are covered if they are involved in an accident. Comprehensive insurance will usually include the following benefits: Casualty coverage: This is usually the most important coverage of the insurance packages and provides protection for bodily injury or property damage.

How much do you need to insure?

The law requires you to carry basic car insurance to cover costs associated with damage to your car and medical expenses for anyone who may be injured. A basic policy can help you secure your legal interests and financial situations, but it is not enough to carry the risks associated with your car. When you add liability coverage, you can take care of your legal costs, ensure that any injuries are covered, and provide for the financial needs of the people involved in an accident. Adding liability coverage can cost more money than you may initially want to spend, so weigh the options carefully before adding any additional coverage.

If you’re in an accident that results in serious injury, your auto insurance policy will typically cover medical bills and sometimes wages as well. The pay-outs can be quite generous, up to $75,000 per accident, according to Consumer Reports. This protection generally does not cover the cost of medical bills, or the cost of medical equipment like a wheelchair or a scooter. Overtime medical benefits Some personal auto insurance policies will also pay for overtime costs for medical treatments. For example, if your vehicle is involved in a serious accident and you need additional surgery or rehab, your auto insurance company might cover the cost.

Medical payments

If you or a family member is injured or dies as a result of an auto accident, most insurance policies provide a reimbursement for medical bills. However, not all auto insurance policies include these provisions. Find out what types of coverage and payment limits are offered in your policy and be sure to review your medical payment limits so you have the coverage to cover reasonable expenses. Transportation loss exclusion Many policies are now paying for your transit cost and the difference between your normal transportation costs and the accident-related costs. This exclusion can make a big difference in a large medical bill and any associated transportation costs that may not be covered by your insurance.

Uninsured motorist coverage

While you may never pay for your own accident, your car insurance policy will likely cover injuries suffered by others caused by your vehicle. This protection, known as uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, can be offered in the form of collision coverage or comprehensive coverage. Typically, the deductible is an upfront cost (paid upfront by the customer) or is spread out over a period of time. UM coverage can be paired with comprehensive coverage and may cover collisions as well as vandalism, theft, and misuse. UM coverage is typically optional, but some states require that all motorists carry UM coverage. UM coverage is not required in California, Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania.