Understanding the Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

Auto insurance is a must to protect yourself and others from bodily injury or property damage if you're involved in an accident. Most states will not allow you to register your car until you show proof of insurance. More importantly insurance coverage protects you from financial ruin if you're involved in an accident. Not only damage done by an accident but any injury to yourself or others will be paid by having insurance.

The biggest question when shopping for the best auto insurance rates is how much coverage do you need? The minimum amount of auto insurance you can carry is usually set by the state you live in, so you can use the minimum coverage as a starting point. In addition, you will have to determine the minimum amounts you want for each type of insurance coverage.

Types of auto insurance coverage include collision insurance, which pays for damage to your auto and any other auto or object you have an accident with. If your car is financed, the lien holder will require you to maintain a certain level of coverage just in case of loss or damage. When you search for the best auto insurance rates you'll have to search for different types of coverage.

Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage or loss to your auto from other sources other than collision, like fire, theft, etc. Banks will require you to have comprehensive coverage if your auto is financed. Medical coverage pays for limited medical expenses for you or a passenger is injured in an accident. The cost of medical care has sky-rocketed recently and is expected to continue to go higher. Being involved in an accident can cost you tens of thousands of dollars if you do not have medical insurance coverage.

Other types of coverage include towing expenses and rental car expenses during the time your car is being repaired. Car insurance policies will pay a certain daily dollar amount for a rental car for a certain amount of time, usually for a month.

Now that you have determined what types of coverage you need and want start your search for the best auto insurance rates. When you're comparing rates be sure to compare apples to apples, the amount of liability coverage is usually quoted as 25/50/25, which means up to $25,000 in bodily injury coverage person/ up to $50,000 if two or more persons are hurt/ up to $25,000 in property damage.

Tip: A good place to start is with an insurance company you already have a relationship with. Some insurance companies will give you a discount on auto insurance rates if you already have home owners insurance or other types of insurance with them.

Finding and comparing the best auto insurance rates available these days has become a lot easier thanks to sites that give consumers the ability to compare auto insurance rates from several companies quickly. You can easily find lower rates on our car insurance policy by comparison shopping.

Most people don't realize they can save $100s of dollars by comparing rates from several different auto insurance companies.