Car Insurance Options

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability covers costs that result from injury and loss in a motor vehicle accident. Commonly covered items include lost wages, compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, and legal costs if a claim is brought against you. Bodily injury coverage is a requirement of all vehicle insurance policies.

Property Damage Liability

This protects you from loss associated with damaging someone else’s vehicle or private property as a result of an accident that you are responsible for. Most states require your vehicle insurance policy to include property damage coverage.

Collision and Comprehensive Coverage

Collision coverage provides compensation for damages to your vehicle if you are involved in a collision with another car, regardless of if you are at fault or not. The insurance only pays the costs that exceed the deducible amount, which you must pay out-of-pocket. This type of coverage is generally optional, but if your vehicle is financed, it is usually a requirement. In addition, coverage protects you from loss due to factors outside of a motor vehicle collision, including damages such as vandalism, theft, falling objects, and those that result from natural disasters.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This coverage protects you and your passengers from loss caused by being in an accident with a driver who has either no auto insurance or not enough insurance to cover the cost of your medical bills, repairs, and other related expenses.

Medical Coverage or PIP - Personal Injury Protection Coverage

This covers the costs associated with medical bills that result from being involved in an accident no matter who is responsible for the incident.

Rental Reimbursement Coverage and Roadside Assistance Coverage

If you need to rent a car because your vehicle is damaged in an accident, rental reimbursement provides a daily allowance amount that covers the cost of renting the vehicle.

Vehicle Value and Ownership

The value of your vehicle is a key factor in the cost of your policy. In general, the higher the value of your vehicle, the more expensive your insurance premiums will be. If you own your vehicle outright, you are not required to have any specific coverage types or amounts. However, if your car is financed or leased, the lien holder usually requires you to have either collision or comprehensive coverage and, in some cases, both.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

Your deductible is the amount that you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. The higher the deductible on your policy, the lower the monthly premium amount you have to pay.

Health Insurance Status

If you have your own health insurance coverage, excluding this option from your policy is possible and will result in a lower premium payment. However, if you do not have adequate health insurance, including this option is very important.

Driver Age and Experience

Your age and driving experience are very important factors in creating your car insurance policy. In general, older and more experienced drivers pay lower premiums than younger and more inexperienced ones because they are less likely to be involved in an accident.

Financial Assets

The higher your net worth, the more you stand to lose if a claim is brought against you because of an accident. Your broker will recommend a coverage level that best shields your assets from loss.

Risk Tolerance

How much risk are you willing to take on? The higher your risk tolerance, the less coverage you need and the lower your insurance costs will be. On the other hand, the lower your risk tolerance, the higher your coverage and insurance costs will be.

Budget

The amount you can afford to pay for your auto insurance is a major factor in the types and levels of coverage you can include in your policy. The higher your budget, the more coverage, and protection you can afford to have.