| A car insurance comparison can save you | | | | adequate insurance to cover the damages. Your |
| hundreds of dollars per year. It's a good idea to | | | | insurance coverage will kick in to cover the |
| find several reputable insurance companies and | | | | excess amount to eliminate or at least reduce |
| compare what they offer in pricing as well as | | | | your out-of-pocket expenses. Some states (but |
| coverage. Do some research to be sure the | | | | not all) require these two types of insurance as |
| companies are financially stable and can provide | | | | part of their minimum requirements. Both types |
| excellent customer service. Then compare the | | | | are available for bodily injury and/or property |
| types of coverage offered and how much the | | | | damage coverage. |
| premium will be for each type of coverage. | | | | Collision and Comprehensive |
| Before you can do this, however, you should | | | | Collision insurance coverage is not required by law, |
| have a general understanding of the types of | | | | but may be required by your lender if you still |
| auto insurance coverage available and how each | | | | owe a monetary balance on your vehicle. Collision |
| will affect you in years to come. Let's explore the | | | | covers damage to your own vehicle if you are at |
| types of coverage and what each means when | | | | fault and cause an accident. This pays to fix your |
| shopping for insurance. | | | | vehicle once you've met the deductible, but only |
| Buying Liability Coverage | | | | up to the current book value of your car. If you |
| Every state requires you to carry a minimum | | | | drive an older car and owe no money on it, |
| amount of liability insurance. Liability coverage | | | | consider dropping this type of coverage. It will |
| covers damages caused to another vehicle if you | | | | decrease your car insurance premium drastically. |
| are in an accident that is ruled to be your fault. | | | | Also, consider the value of your car. Many older |
| Check with your state to find out what the | | | | cars aren't worth fixing once you find the actual |
| minimum liability amount is, or ask a reliable | | | | worth of the vehicle and the cost of |
| insurance agent in your local area. Keep in mind | | | | repairs....unless it's a prized classic automobile. Then |
| that this is only a minimum, but you might want | | | | collision coverage might be worth the premium! |
| to purchase more to be sure you'll have enough | | | | Comprehensive insurance is available if you wish |
| coverage if an accident does occur. If you don't | | | | to protect your car from other types of damage, |
| have enough coverage, the expenses of an | | | | including damage from storms (hail, tornadoes, |
| accident could easily exceed your coverage and | | | | hurricanes, etc.), fire, theft or vandalism. This |
| put your personal assets at risk. | | | | usually covers replacement of glass if a rock or |
| There are two types of liability coverage: | | | | tree limb hits your window or your window |
| property damage liability (PDL) and bodily injury | | | | breaks as a result of hitting an animal. |
| liability (BIL). A few states do not require BIL | | | | Other types of coverage to consider include |
| insurance, but it's still a good idea to purchase this | | | | medical payments to cover medical expenses for |
| type to protect yourself. Claims for BIL can | | | | you and your passengers, personal injury |
| include pain and suffering, loss of income and | | | | protection (PIP), Gap insurance, work loss |
| medical bills....these can add up in a hurry! Since | | | | insurance, towing, and rental car reimbursement. |
| you are required to carry some form of liability | | | | Keep in mind the more coverage you choose, |
| insurance, it's wise to use an online auto insurance | | | | then the more your premium will be. So choose |
| comparison site to compare companies and their | | | | coverage wisely based on your needs and budget. |
| pricing for liability policies. Then see what each has | | | | Use car insurance comparison websites to see |
| to offer beyond liability. Some offer discounted | | | | what each company has to offer based on your |
| policies just to gain you as a customer and will | | | | age, type of automobile, number of drivers, etc. |
| include several types of coverage. | | | | Once you narrow your search to a few reliable |
| Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance | | | | providers, ask about safe driver discounts and |
| Uninsured motorist insurance provides coverage | | | | other ways to save money. Also, compare rates |
| for you and your household or passengers if an | | | | with a higher deductible to see how much this will |
| uninsured motorist causes your accident. | | | | save on your premium. Armed with these facts |
| Coverage may include bodily injury, damages or | | | | about the types of coverage available, you might |
| death caused by an uninsured motorist or even a | | | | be pleasantly surprised at how much money you |
| hit-and-run driver. Underinsured motorist insurance | | | | can save by taking a few moments to do a car |
| provides coverage in the event that you are in an | | | | insurance comparison. |
| accident and the at-fault driver doesn't have | | | | |