How to Tell the Difference Between Cheap and Cheap When It Comes to Your Auto Insurance

In today's budget conscious society we're all looking for a way to save money on life's essentials, and unfortunately when you're talking about essential your auto insurance more or less tops the list! There are hundreds of companies out there that are going to be willing to offer you a great deal on your insurance coverage, but be careful. It's important to know the difference between cheap and "cheap" before you sign on the dotted line for a new insurance policy.

Cheap auto insurance is good. In fact, cheap auto insurance is great! With a decently priced auto insurance policy you can get the coverage you need to spent plenty of quality time out on the roads without having to sweat about not being covered in case of an emergency. A good insurance policy at discount prices should include (but isn't limited to):

1) Comprehensive coverage up to and including the cost of your car, just in case you get in a tangle with the local wildlife.

2) Collision coverage to pay for the damages to YOUR car if you're in an accident that you were responsible for.

3) Liability coverage. Most states have minimum levels of liability that all drivers are required to have before they hit the highways, but those minimums often aren't enough to take care of the full costs associated with an accident-and you DON'T want to be the one left picking up the slack. Experts suggest that you carry a minimum of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident in liability, even if you live in a no-fault state, just to make sure the door isn't being left wide open for disaster to strike.

4) Uninsured motorist insurance. Studies show that courtesy of rising prices and the crunched economy there are more people than ever giving their auto insurance companies the boot and driving on the highways without insurance. If you're in an accident with one of these drivers you could spend years trying to recoup your investment from the bits and pieces they're going to be able to pay. With uninsured motorist insurance your own insurance company will take care of your repairs, and you'll get out on the roads much, much faster.

Most companies want to put their best foot forward right from the very beginning, which is why advertised auto insurance quotes are so low. These are the bottom of the barrel, the bare minimum you can buy and still be out on the roads. If your insurance coverage doesn't have all of the aforementioned coverages you're going to be left at risk when you're on the highways, and that's the last thing you (or anyone else) wants to see happen.

"Cheap" car insurance just isn't worth it.