There are so many risks and liabilities associated with driving and owning a car. This is why car owners are required by law to have auto insurance.
What is an auto insurance?
Auto insurance, also known as car insurance, motor insurance and vehicle insurance, is an agreement between an insured person or group and an insurance company. It is a type of insurance purchased for vehicles like cars and trucks. The primary purpose of an auto insurance is to provide protection against losses incurred as a result of traffic accidents and against liability that could be incurred in an accident.
How does an auto insurance work?
The insurance company charges the insured person or group an amount of money, called premiums, as payment for insurance coverage. In return, the person or group insured receives compensation from the company in the event of loss or accident as defined in the policy.
The insurance company issues the insured person or group a proof of insurance, which serves as evidence that the vehicle is insured for a particular period of time. This will also be presented if the insured person or group is stopped by law enforcement officials while driving or gets involved in an accident.
Although some auto insurances are required by law, others are optional for car owners. Some have higher premiums like sports car and expensive cars.
Insurance policies are very specific about the insurance coverage. Usually, auto insurance provides property coverage, liability coverage and medical coverage. Property coverage pays for damage to or theft of the insured vehicle. Liability coverage pays for the legal responsibility of the owner of the vehicle to others for bodily injury or property damage. Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries and rehabilitation. Medical coverage also pays for lost wages and funeral expenses.
In the United States, each and every one of the 50 states has different auto insurance law, coverage requirements and costs. Understanding the laws, regulations and coverage requirements in your state can provide you with a lot of benefits. For one, it can save you a significant amount of money on your auto insurance policy. It can also keep you legally protected in the event of an auto accident.
Save on your auto insurance by following these tips.
1. Shop for insurance and compare insurance quotes first before buying a vehicle. This will help you get the best deal possible as it will increase your chances of finding lower rates. Do not forget that rates vary from company to company and they change at least twice.
2. Take advantage of discounts or premium reductions, or special insurance rates such as Low Mileage Discount, Good Student Discount, Multi-Car Discount, Safe Vehicle Discount and Good Driver Discount. Others include Age (being at least 25 years old), Good Credit Score and Use of Car Pooling and Public Transportation. You can also avail of discounts by purchasing other policies from the same company as well as by avoiding installment fees.
3. Know the different coverages. Avoid duplicate and unnecessary coverage. When adding physical coverage to a vehicle, consider higher deductibles.
