Auto insurance can include a wide range of coverage, from liability-only to coverage that will fix the smallest dent or scratch on your car’s paint job. With auto insurance being required by law in many places, you may be confused as to what kind of coverage you need. This article will explain the basics and help you learn what you need to know about car insurance.
Learning about car insurance can help you to find the best policy and rate for you. You want to make sure that you are covered and you should understand that coverage so that you know what you are paying for. Property damage liability covers you in the event that your vehicle hits someones property. It is a required coverage in all but 3 states.
Another type of car insurance coverage in your policy, is medical coverage. This coverage takes care of your injuries and those injuries to other people in your car. Some states just make this a optional coverage in your insurance. If you live in a no-fault state, medical payments are replaced by personal injury protection.
When considering extras for your auto insurance, you can most likely do without the car rental insurance. You will pay nearly $50 a year for rental insurance, when that is the same cost for renting a car for one to two days. Also, your rental car is most likely already covered under your policy, anyhow.
Before you add your teenage driver to your auto insurance policy, take a look at your own credit history. If your credit is good, it’s usually cheaper to add a teen to your own policy. But if you have had credit problems, it would be better not to hand that on to your child; start them off with a policy in their own name.
You can help your child out by adding him/her to your auto insurance as an authorized user. If your kid is a good driver, not only will he or she be able to save money on future policies, but the “authorized” label on the insurance policy will also bode well for their credit score, giving them a great head start in the credit department.
Ask the people you know for a recommendation. Everyone who drives has insurance, and many of them have had both good and bad experiences with different companies. Ask them which company they use, and why. You may find that your friends have found better deals at a company you wouldn’t have thought to look at.
Drive smart and safe to keep your auto insurance cheap. A clean driving record makes a huge difference in the premiums insurance companies will charge you. Insurers inspect your driving history perhaps more closely than any other factor when setting your premium. Do not worry about accidents where you were not at fault; drive safely to avoid any other bad marks on your record.
You can protect your car, yourself, and your passengers with the right car insurance coverage. Without it, you could find yourself in serious debt should an accident occur, and possibly even on the wrong side of the law. With the knowledge you have gained from this article, you are now well prepared to look for car insurance.