Q. Why do I need auto insurance?

Auto insurance helps financially protect you and others if there are auto-related damages, loss or injuries. It helps protect you, your passengers, your property, your fellow drivers, pedestrians, and other people's property.

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Q. What is covered by a basic auto policy?

Your auto policy likely includes the following six coverages which are priced separately.

• Liability – protects the owners or drivers of a vehicle for amounts they are legally responsible to pay due to an auto accident.
• Bodily Injury Liability – protects you against financial loss if someone is injured or killed by your auto and you are found legally liable.
• Property Damage Liability – pays for damage you may cause to someone else's property. Usually, this means damage to someone else’s car, but it also includes other damaged property.
  
  
• Medical Payments – pays medical expenses of individuals in your car who are injured as a result of an auto accident.



• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – pays for the treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the insured's car.



• Collision – pays for damage to your car that is a result of a collision with another car or object.



• Comprehensive – pays for losses due to theft or damage that is caused by something other than a collision with another car or object. This might include damage from a fire, falling objects, missiles, explosion, earthquake, windstorm, hail, flood, vandalism, riot, or contact with animals such as birds or deer.



• Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage – reimburses you, family members, or a designated driver if an accident occurs that involves an uninsured or underinsured individual.

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Q. How much coverage do I need?

Nearly every state requires a minimum amount of liability coverage. But you may want more than this since some accidents may cost more than the minimum limits. If you’re found legally responsible for bills that are more than your insurance covers, you will have to pay the difference out of your own pocket. These costs could wipe you out!

The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) recommends that you have $100,000 of bodily injury protection per person and $300,000 per accident. If your net worth is more than $300,000, consider buying additional liability insurance.

In addition to liability coverage, consider buying collision and comprehensive coverage. Your coverage reflects the market value of your car and the cost of repairing it.

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Q. What determines the price of my policy?

Many factors influence the price you pay for auto insurance, including:

• Your driving record – the better your record, the lower your premium.



• Number of miles you drive each year – there’s a greater chance for an accident the more miles you drive.



• Where you live – the price of your insurance may be affected by local trends, such as the number of accidents, car thefts and lawsuits, as well as the cost of medical care and car repair.



• Your age – typically, mature drivers have fewer accidents than less experienced drivers, particularly teenagers. So insurers generally charge more if teenagers or young people under the age of 25 drive your car.



• The car you drive – some cars cost more to insure than others. Variables include the likelihood of theft, the cost of the car, the cost of repairs, and the overall safety record of the car.



• The amount of coverage – like anything else, the more coverage you have, the more you pay. However, you may qualify for discounts.

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Q. How can I save money when getting coverage?

Here are some areas to consider when trying to get the most insurance for your money:

• Ask for higher deductibles – this can help reduce your premium, but be sure to maintain cash reserves to cover deductibles.



• Reduce coverage on older cars – consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverages on older cars. It may not be cost-effective to continue this coverage on older cars.



• Buy your homeowners and auto coverage from the same insurer – many insurers will give you a discount if you buy two or more types of insurance from them.



• Ask about discounts – some companies offer discounts to motorists who drive a lower than average number of miles per year or who carpool to work. Discounts may also be available if you have not had any accidents or moving violations for a number of years. Discounts may also be available to you based on your age or for young drivers who are good students. Additional discounts are available for safety devices including air bags and anti-lock brakes.



• Maintain good credit – insurers believe there is some correlation between financial responsibility and insurance losses.

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Q. How do I get coverage?

You’ll be asked a few questions about your car including the make and model, miles you drive, drivers in your household and other information important in providing you a quote.

If you already have a homeowners insurance policy with the same insurance company, you might receive a discount on your auto policy. You should also mention if you or other drivers in your household have completed safe-driving courses and if student drivers in your home are getting good grades—both of these may qualify you for discounts on your auto policy.

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