Car Insurance Advice

With over 11 million crashes occurring in the United States each year, securing the correct insurance for your car may be one of the most important things you do. No-one wants to pay more than they have to, but it is necessary to make sure you are adequately covered or you may end up paying much more than you ever bargained for.

In the United States of America, motorists are required by law to carry a minimum level of insurance to ensure that the driver can cover costs to people or property if there is an accident in which the driver is found liable. However, insurance requirements can differ between states in the US. Make sure yours is what is required in your state. If you have taken a loan to buy your car, you are typically required to have full coverage on your vehicle.
Look around and get quotes from a few different companies. Although it can be time consuming, it is likely to pay off. You will find that prices will vary from company to company.

Ensure you have at least the basic coverage. Depending on how cautious you wish to be, you can opt for additional levels of coverage.
Think about your financial situation. How much you can afford to spend to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident. You could also be liable for paying medical expenses and other costs to any other person or property you damage if you are not adequately covered. In most states, the minimum cover recommended is not adequate, so think about getting higher limits.

Different Types of Coverage:

Liability coverage
If you hit or damage another person or their property, this insurance will only cover the damages caused to them. You will be responsible for funding your own expenses incurred

Asset liability coverage
If the costs incurred in an accident exceed the limits of your insurance coverage, any assets you own such as house or car may be sold to fund these. Taking out asset liability coverage will mean that you are protected from this happening.

Comprehensive coverage
Pays for loss or damage to your covered vehicle caused by any event other than collision. This includes damages due to events such as fire, theft, windstorm, flood, and vandalism. This will also pay transportation and loss of use expenses under this coverage if your motor vehicle is stolen.

Collision coverage
This coverage pays for damages to your vehicle in the event of it colliding with another object or overturning. The insurance will also pay for a collision loss to any non-owned vehicle, or to a vehicle you have rented other than a vehicle rented for use in connection with your business or employment, while that vehicle is in your custody, or while you are operating it.

Property Damage Liability Coverage
Pays when an insured person is legally liable for damage to the property of others caused by your vehicle your operation of most non-owned vehicles. This coverage also pays for your legal defense costs if you are sued.

Uninsured motorist coverage
This coverage will protect you, your resident relatives and occupants of an insured car if someone hits you or your property and they are not insured.

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
If you have an accident and are found to be legally liable for bodily injury or death, this coverage will pay the expenses incurred by your vehicle or your operation of most non-owned vehicles. This coverage also pays for your legal defense if you are sued.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal Injury Protection is an insurance coverage for medical and other expenses resulting from an automobile accident, for people specified in the policy, regardless of who is at fault in the accident.

Loan or Lease Payoff or "Gap" Coverage
Loan or lease payoff coverage (often called "gap" coverage) pays the difference between what you owe on your vehicle and what your insurance pays if your vehicle is declared a total loss or stolen and not recovered, less your Comprehensive or Collision deductible.

As you can see, there are many different levels of coverage to think about when it comes to insurance.
You may only wish to purchase the minimum requirement, but it is important to be aware of what you are covered for in the event of an accident.

The Minimum Level of Coverage You Are Requried to Have In Your State

In the US, each state differs in the amount of insurance you are legally required to have. The below information shows what the requirements for your state are to ensure you are covered for the basics.
The first number is the bodily injury liability maximum for one person injured in an accident.

The second number is bodily injury liability maximum for all injuries in one accident.
The third number is the property damage liability maximum for one accident.

Some states have No-Fault laws. This means that if you are injured in an accident or your vehicle is damaged, then you deal with your own insurance company when making a claim, regardless of who is at-fault for causing the accident.

Select your state from the list below to see what level of insurance you are required to have:

 

* Alabama
o Liability coverage is required
o Liability Minimum is 20/40/10
o Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
o Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

* Alaska
o Liability coverage is required
o Liability Minimum is 50/100/25
o Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
o Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Arizona
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 15/30/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Arkansas
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/25
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

California
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 15/30/5
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Colorado
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/15
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Connecticut
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 20/40/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Delaware
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 15/30/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Florida
Liability coverage is required
Only property-damage liability is compulsory
Liability Minimum is 10/20/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Georgia
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/25
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Hawaii
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 20/40/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Idaho
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/15
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Illinois
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 20/40/15
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Indiana
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Iowa
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 20/40/15
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Kansas
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Kentucky
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Louisiana
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 10/20/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Maine
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 50/100/25
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Maryland
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 20/40/15
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Massachusetts
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 20/40/5
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Michigan
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 20/40/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Minnesota
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 30/60/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Mississippi
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/25
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Missouri
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Montana
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Nebraska
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/25
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Nevada
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 15/30/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

New Hampshire
Liability coverage is not required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/25
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

New Jersey
Liability coverage is required.
Drivers can choose a standard or basic policy. Basic policy limits are 10/10/5; only property-damage liability is mandatory.
Liability Minimum is 15/30/5
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

New Mexico
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

New York
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Liability rises to 50/100 if injury results in death.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

North Carolina
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 30/60/25
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

North Dakota
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/25
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Ohio
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 12.5/25/7.5
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Oklahoma
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/25
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Oregon
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Pennsylvania
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 15/30/5
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Rhode Island
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/25
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

South Carolina
Liability coverage is not required
Liability Minimum is 15/30/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

South Dakota
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/25
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Tennessee
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Texas
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 20/40/15
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Utah
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/15
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is required
This is a no-fault state
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

Vermont
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Virginia
Liability coverage is not required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/20
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Washington
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

West Virginia
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 20/40/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Wisconsin
Liability coverage is not required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/10
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is required

Wyoming
Liability coverage is required
Liability Minimum is 25/50/20
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not required

What Factors Contribute to the Cost of Your Premium

Insurance companies take into account a number of factors when quoting the premium you will pay. Insurance companies collate statistics and data on accidents and theft to determine which types of people are low risk, and which are higher risks to insure. After asking you a number of questions there will be a demographic you best fit and this will determine the level of premium you will pay. The kind of questions you will be asked:

Your driving record
Have you had any accidents, tickets or fines? DUI charges? Have any of these happened recently, or do they occur often? Your answers will factor into the equation and help determine whether you are a high or low risk driver.

Your age, and the length of time you have had your licence
Age and experience generally weigh in your favour. A young driver is more likely to be a high risk driver, and so is one who has only held a licence for a short time.

The type of car you drive
Each year, vehicles receive ratings according to the safety features they have installed in them. Insurance companies think about the number of safety enhancing features your vehicle has - such as power steering, automatic safety belts, anti-lock brakes, airbags etc. The level of power a car has may raise the price of the premium. Sports cars and some SUVs are more likely to command higher premiums. Even the colour of a car can cause a variation in price. Based on research, red cars and black are considered to be higher risk.
Cars are also ranked accordingly as to how likely they are to be targeted by thieves.
Thieves target desirable cars. Cars with sports motors in them, or Japanese cars have a higher incidence of theft. Modified cars with attractive features may also be a target, so if you are considering adding components such as magnesium alloy wheels, high quality stereos, radar detectors etc. be aware that this may make your car more likely to be at risk.

Who else will be driving the car?
Generally, anyone who drives your car with your permission will be covered in your insurance. As the most likely people to drive your car will be members of your household, the insurance company may wish to gather information on these people.

Where your car is located
Whether your car is locked in a garage or secure unit will be of significance to an insurance company. Cars that can be parked overnight in off-street parking are preferable. Where you live is also a factor. Some neighbourhoods have a higher security risk than others. This is calculated by the number of thefts or vandalisms in a particular area over a certain amount of time. Cities command higher premiums than towns.

The amount of driving you do
How often and how far do you drive your car in a day? The more you use a car, and the distance you drive will cost you more in premiums. Whether you drive it predominantly around town or long distance will also be a consideration.

The number of cars you own
If you have multiple cars insured on the same policy, the company will most likely give you a discount. You will also be eligible for a discount if you have other assets such as a house or your contents insured with the same company.

As you can see, there are many factors that will determine what you pay as a premium to have your car insured. Insurance companies compile data and calculate levels of probability based on their statistics. They assess all the variables and then determine how likely it is that you will need their services.

Get in touch with people you trust and ask which companies they recommend. Get a number of quotes from different companies and compare them.

Before you sign up, read carefully the policy. Make sure that you keep your right to sue. In the event that there is a disagreement between you and the insurance company, it is important that you are able to take it to court if you wish.