All car insurance policies start out offering liability property damage and bodily injury coverage. This type of coverage is required by law and cannot be removed from your policy. However, all other types of coverage are typically considered optional. Consequently, you will need to take the time to customize your policy if you want to ensure that you have all of the coverage you need. While there are many different types of coverage that you can add to your policy, there are three main options that you will want to seriously consider adding. You can learn more about each of these three coverage options below.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Just like liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is broken up into property damage and bodily injury coverage. The property damage coverage provided by this type of insurance will take care of covering the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if you are ever involved in an accident with a driver that either has no insurance or inadequate insurance. The bodily injury portion of this coverage will take care of any medical bills you incur as the result of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. In order to utilize this coverage, the uninsured/underinsured driver will need to be at fault for causing your accident.
Collision Coverage
People often assume that they will be able to file a claim with their insurance company if their vehicle is damaged in an accident. However, a car insurance policy that only offers liability coverage does not actually offer any coverage for damage to your own vehicle. This is because liability coverage is meant to protect other drivers if you are ever liable for causing an accident. If you want coverage for your own vehicle, you will need to add collision coverage to your auto insurance policy.
Comprehensive Coverage
Both liability and collision coverage are designed to provide protection in the event of an accident. However, there are many other ways in which damage can occur to your vehicle. For instance, your vehicle could be damaged by debris on the road, bad weather conditions, or the criminal actions of someone else. In these situations, it is comprehensive coverage that will provide you with financial protection. Comprehensive auto insurance also typically includes coverage for hail damage, glass repairs, and theft.
A Final Thought
In addition to the coverage options discussed above, you may also want to consider adding roadside assistance or rental car coverage to your policy. In order to further explore all of your coverage options, be sure to consult a car insurance agent in your local area before buying your next policy.
For more information on car insurance, contact a professional near you.
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