Auto insurance is one of the most common type of insurance. It’s there to help you if something happens to your car or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property or hurt them while driving.
Auto Insurance works for all kinds of cars, whether you use them for personal or business reasons. It also covers motorcycles. If you’re driving a vehicle, it is advised to have this insurance.
What is Auto Insurance
Auto insurance is an insurance policy where the insurer (insurance company) protects the car of the insured (you) in the event of an accident or if it gets stolen or damaged by fire, vandalism, or bad weather. There are different types of car insurance.
Some cover you only if the accident is your fault, while others help even if it’s not your fault. Some types of coverage help pay for medical bills, and others help with fixing or replacing your car.
How Auto Insurance Works
When you buy insurance by paying extra money, the insurance company promises to cover your losses as stated in your insurance policy. These policys are tailored to your needs and budget. They usually last for six or twelve months and can be renewed. The insurance company will let you know when it’s time to renew your plan and pay again.
Almost every state requires car owners to have a minimum amount of auto insurance. This includes bodily injury liability, which pays for injuries or death caused by you or another driver while driving your car. Some states also need property damage liability, which covers damage caused to other vehicles or property by you or someone else driving your car.
Types of Auto Insurance
Most basic car insurance that’s required by law pays for damage your car causes to others, but it doesn’t pay for damage to your own car. To make sure your car is protected too, you might want to think about getting extra types of coverage;
- Collision coverage pays for repairs to your car if you crash into another vehicle or object, like a tree or guardrail, and it’s your fault. It doesn’t cover things like your car breaking down or getting old, but it does help if you hit a pothole or flip your car.
- Comprehensive insurance protects your vehicle from things like theft and damage that happen in ways other than crashes. This includes stuff like fires, floods, vandalism, hail, falling rocks or trees, and even rare events like getting hit by an asteroid!
- Glass Coverage helps pay for fixing or replacing your car’s glass parts, like the windshield, side windows, rear windows, and sunroof if they get damaged. Some car insurance plans include Glass Coverage without you having to pay anything upfront, while others may require you to buy extra coverage specifically for glass.
How Much Auto Insurance Costs
Buying car insurance involves two main expenses: premiums and deductibles. Car insurance costs change depending on different things. Some of these things are whether you’re a man or a woman, how old you are when you apply, how long you’ve been driving if you’ve had any accidents or traffic tickets, and some other things.
Most states say you have to have at least a certain amount of car insurance. This amount changes from state to state, but many people get more insurance to make sure they’re better protected. Also, if you’re borrowing money to buy a car, the lender might tell you to get specific kinds of car insurance.
For example, if you’re buying an expensive car that will lose its value quickly once you start driving it, you might need something called gap insurance. Gap insurance can help pay the difference between what your car is worth and how much money you still owe on it if you get into an accident.
Companies That Offer This Insurance
Here are some companies that offer this Insurance:
- USAA
- Geico
- State Farm
- Nationwide
- Progressive
- Travelers
- American Family Insurance
- Erie
- Allstate
These Insurance companies options are only a few, but there are many other companies that offer auto coverage. It’s really important to carefully look into and compare different policies. Then, find the one that fits your needs the best.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to buy car insurance?
If you’re getting car insurance for the first time or renewing after a long time, you might be unsure where to start. Before you can buy a new car insurance policy, you’ll need to give some important information about yourself and your car. This includes:
- Driver’s license (both for you and for all drivers that will be listed on your policy)
- Vehicle registration
- Social Security number (varies by insurer and state regulations)
- Banking information
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Info about any loan or lease on the car and what insurance they require
It’s also helpful to have a copy of your current insurance policy, as it shows what coverage you already have for any cars you want to insure.