Comprehensive Auto Insurance Guide

Auto insurance coverages can be confusing. Most states have laws that set the minimum coverage you need, but often this isn’t enough to fully protect you, your family, and your vehicle. To ensure that you are fully protected you may want to look into additional coverage options and higher limits.
December 3, 2015 | Auto
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The Difference Between Comprehensive & Collision Coverage

Your insurance policy doesn't have to be a mystery. Find out the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage.
By: Lisa D.
Lisa D. has almost 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, including over 15 years at Acuity. Before starting at Acuity, she obtained her P&C license and sold personal insurance. She keeps a pulse on industry trends while continuing to specialize in developing and updating personal auto insurance products. On top of that, Lisa has her Association in General Insurance (AINS) and Associate in Personal Insurance (API) designations. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys cooking, photography, and spending time with her family. The last two go hand in hand, as she takes pictures of her kids every day.

Author of Auto Focus

Auto insurance coverages can be confusing. Most states have laws that set the minimum coverage you need, but often this isn’t enough to fully protect you, your family, and your vehicle. To ensure that you are fully protected you may want to look into additional coverage options and higher limits.

 

To help you determine what coverages are right for you we have created this easy to use “Comprehensive” Auto Insurance Guide. Review the following coverages and then compare this to your current policy to ensure you have the proper coverages.

 

State Required Coverages(state minimum requirements may apply – learn about the minimum requirements in your state)

Liability

Bodily Injury Liability – Pays for another person’s injuries, their pain and suffering, and the legal costs associated with an accident in which you are at fault.

 

Property Damage Liability  - Pays for the damage to another person’s property (e.g., automobile, home, etc.) that occurred when you are at fault for the accident.

 

Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection (depending on state requirements)

This covers medical and funeral expenses for injuries that occur to you, your family, and your passengers while in a vehicle or as pedestrians. This coverage goes into effect regardless of who caused the accident.

 

Uninsured Motorists

If you or your family is struck by someone who does not have insurance, uninsured motorists coverage will pay for injury-related medical expenses to you and anyone in your vehicle. Also, uninsured motorists coverage pays for pain and suffering and legal costs. While most states require auto insurance there are still some people who choose to not follow the law. This coverage protects you in the event that you are involved in an accident with someone who does not have insurance.

 

Underinsured Motorists (not available in all states)

If you or your vehicle is struck by someone who does not have enough insurance to pay for all your injuries or does not have as high limits as you do, underinsured motorists coverage will cover the difference. Also, underinsured motorists coverage pays for pain and suffering and legal costs.  This coverage protects you from those that have the state minimum for their insurance and don’t have a high enough limit to pay for all the damage they caused.

 

Optional Coverages

Comprehensive

Pays repair costs for your vehicle when it is damaged by something other than another vehicle. (e.g., glass breakage, fire, theft, hail, water, vandalism, collision with an animal). A deductible may apply.

 

Collision

Pays repair costs for your vehicle when it is damaged by another vehicle. A deductible may apply.   

 

Towing and Labor

Pays the towing charges when your vehicle breaks down. This coverage also pays for the work done on the car in the spot where it broke down.

 

Uninsured Motorists Property Damage (required in some states)

Covers the damage to your vehicle and the property in your vehicle caused by someone who has no auto insurance. A deductible may apply in some states.

 

After reading the above guideline, ask yourself, is your current auto insurance doing everything it can for you? Do you have enough coverage to truly protect you, your family, and your vehicle? If you answered no, Acuity Insurance can help! Get an online insurance quote in 5 minutes today!

By: Lisa D.
Lisa D. has almost 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, including over 15 years at Acuity. Before starting at Acuity, she obtained her P&C license and sold personal insurance. She keeps a pulse on industry trends while continuing to specialize in developing and updating personal auto insurance products. On top of that, Lisa has her Association in General Insurance (AINS) and Associate in Personal Insurance (API) designations. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys cooking, photography, and spending time with her family. The last two go hand in hand, as she takes pictures of her kids every day.

Author of Auto Focus