Find out how auto insurance works to protect you and your vehicle on the road.
Consider These 3 Things Before Driving Off the Lot
There are a few things to consider when buying or leasing your next vehicle.
Get coverage to protect the vehicle you rely on.
Your car or truck is often your biggest asset aside from your home—we’ll help you get the insurance coverage you need at a price you can afford. Auto insurance helps to protect against potentially crippling financial losses and the sheer inconvenience of being without transportation.
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Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
Risk Factor
It’s easy to get distracted while driving. All it takes is an incoming text message, a fussy baby, or changing the radio station and your eyes are off the road long enough to crash into the slowing vehicle in front of you. As an owner/operator of the vehicle, you may be held financially responsible for any bodily injuries caused as a result of the accident.
Solution
Bodily injury liability covers your legal liability for a covered accident that involves injury to another person, up to the limit of liability you select. Purchase enough coverage to protect your assets should a claim be brought against you or if you are sued. You should also consider purchasing an excess liability policy which may provide additional limits of liability.
Property Damage Coverage
Risk Factor
When involved in an auto accident, you and your family may be financially responsible for any damage caused by your vehicle to someone else's property. The amount required, if any, can vary by state.
Solution
The property damage portion of your auto insurance policy protects you if your car damages someone else's property, such as another car, a fence, or a building. In some instances, you may be able to choose your coverage limit, or it may be a standard amount dictated by the insurer or local laws.
Medical Payments Coverage and Personal Injury Protection
Risk Factor
Depending on the severity of the injuries suffered in an automobile accident, whether caused by you or by the other vehicle, it's not uncommon for healthcare costs to run into the thousands of dollars, with a large portion being out-of-pocket expenses not covered by your health plan.
Solution
Medical payments coverage or Personal Injury Protection, depending on where you live, can help cover some medical expenses and funeral expenses of covered drivers and passengers after an accident. The exact requirements, limits, and coverage can vary by state, so it's important to understand what's required where you live.
Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Damage Coverage
Risk Factor
What happens when the driver who hit you doesn't have enough liability coverage? Or, even worse, they take off? Research has shown that this happens more than you might expect. If you’re in a collision with someone who is uninsured or underinsured, you can be left to pay out-of-pocket for damages and medical expenses not covered by the other driver.
Solution
Uninsured/underinsured motorist damage coverage may compensate you for bodily injury and lost wages caused by an uninsured motorist, a hit-and-run driver, a driver whose automobile insurance company is insolvent, or a driver who has not purchased enough coverage to pay for damages.
Physical Damage Coverage
Risk Factor
Your automobile can be a fairly costly investment – one that is exposed to many potential losses caused by weather related events, theft, and other circumstances that may be out of your control.
Solution
Physical damage coverage can protect your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident (collision coverage), is damaged by something other than a collision (comprehensive coverage) with a vehicle or object or if your vehicle is stolen. This coverage is optional if your vehicle is paid in full, but it is coverage you should consider if you want to fully protect your vehicle.
Rental Coverage / Loss of Use
Risk Factor
When your vehicle is being repaired or replaced due to a covered loss, you may have to rent a vehicle to get you to and from your daily responsibilities without any interruption. Vehicle rental can get expensive, especially over an extended period of time.
Solution
Rental coverage/ loss of use is an inexpensive option you can add to your auto insurance policy to pay for the cost to rent a temporary replacement vehicle or the cost of public or private transportation if your vehicle is ever in an accident. This coverage is available in a variety of daily limits.
What is the minimum coverage required?
Not all car insurance is created equal. Some auto insurance policies simply meet legal requirements. This means your insurance may cover the damage you cause to other cars in collisions. However, auto insurance in some no-fault regions may also cover your own car or truck. Additionally, the law usually states that policies must cover some medical bills that result from a car crash.
Combine Your Policies and Save
Some things just make perfect sense in pairs.
How does bodily injury liability cover you in a car accident?
If you are in an auto accident that involves injury to another person, bodily injury liability coverage helps cover your financial responsibility for any bodily injuries as a result of the accident, up to a selected limit.
What is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage?
If an uninsured or underinsured motorist causes an auto accident, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may compensate you for bodily injuries and lost wages.
Protect your vehicle with auto insurance add-ons.
Other auto insurance policies go further and protect your car or truck if it is stolen, damaged or destroyed by fire, or damaged in a car accident that doesn’t involve any other vehicles. You may also get policies that protect your car if it is damaged by an uninsured driver.
Are you looking for auto insurance to cover your car or truck? Contact us to discuss coverage options.
Car Insurance FAQ
How do I lower my Car Insurance?
Lowering your car insurance is a common question one way to accomplish this is to bundle your Auto Insurance with renters or HomeOwners insurance whenever possible. Bundle discounts can be as high as 30 percent when you have multiple policies in force with the same insurance provider. Contact your knowledgeable agent at www.RightawayInsurance.com to ask about bundling policies.
Checking your motor vehicle record and disputing any inaccurate information is another way to potentially lower your Car insurance rates. The motor vehicle agencies do their best to make sure accurate information is being reported but sometimes they make mistakes too if you discover any inaccurate information that you can successfully dispute this can result in the reduction of your premium.
Do you have any children that are currently in college? one way to lower premiums especially for young drivers is to inquire about a Good student discount if a young driver is in a qualified university and can supply a transcript showing that they have outstanding grades a Good student discount may be on the table for you.
Why would I need state filings for my Car Insurance?
Requiring state filings are not the end of the world you may be required to have filings with your car insurance if your license has previously been suspended you may need an Fr-44 or certificate of financial responsibility to reinstate your driving privileges after a DUI or similar serious traffic offenses in states like Florida or Virginia.
In states like Maryland you may be required to have an Fr-19 filed whenever there is a circumstance where a lapse of insurance may have occurred this can be prompted if you switch insurance carriers mid term or if you have a lapse of insurance for non payment or a cancelled policy.
Can I obtain car insurance even if I do not have a United States issued driver's license?
Yes you can obtain Car insurance even if you do not have a United States issued driver’s license someone with a foreign license can obtain car insurance in most cases with a surcharge from certain insurance carriers. You should work with an experienced insurance broker such as Rightaway Insurance so that many carriers can be vetted for coverage.
How Are Car Insurance Premiums Determined?
Insurance premiums are calculated based on several factors, including:
- Driving Record: A clean driving record can lead to lower premiums, while accidents or violations may increase costs.
- Vehicle Type: The make, model, and year of your car can affect your premium, with high-performance or luxury vehicles often costing more to insure.
- Location: Urban areas with higher rates of accidents or theft may result in higher premiums compared to rural areas. Insurance carriers also look at claim activity in specific zip codes to help determine what the rates will be in that area.
- Credit Score: In some states, insurers use credit scores to help determine premiums, with higher scores potentially leading to lower rates.
- Coverage Amounts: The level of coverage you choose will directly impact your premium, with more comprehensive coverage typically costing more.
In the unfortunate event of a car accident what do I do?
it is essential to follow these steps:
- Ensure Safety: Check for injuries and move to a safe location if possible.
- Contact Authorities: Call the police to report the accident, even if it seems minor.
- Exchange Information: Collect contact and insurance information from all parties involved.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any relevant road conditions.
- Notify Your Insurer: Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible
What Types of Car Insurance Coverage Are Available?
Car insurance policies typically offer several types of coverage, each designed to protect you in different scenarios:
- Liability Coverage: This is mandatory in most states and covers damages to other people’s property and injuries to others if you are at fault in an accident.
- Collision Coverage: This covers damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another car or object, regardless of who is at fault.
- Comprehensive Coverage: This protects against non-collision-related incidents such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This covers medical expenses and, in some cases, lost wages and other damages.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This provides protection if you are involved in an accident with a driver who lacks adequate insurance.
What is Comprehensive Coverage and when would it be advised?
Comprehensive coverage is available for vehicles that are paid off that have no lienholder. This coverage extends to vehicles that may not need full coverage but for insured that want coverage for things such as Fire, Theft,Vandalism, and collision with an Animal. comprehensive coverage can be a happy medium between baseline liability coverage and having full coverage. Comprehensive coverage oftentimes isn’t a lot more expensive than Liability and provides an extra level of comfort and security for drivers.
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