Car insurance helps to cover the costs of damages or injuries that may occur in the event of an accident. If you cause an accident and do not have insurance, you may have to pay out of pocket for any damages or injuries you cause. Additionally, many lenders and leasing companies require that you have car insurance as a condition of financing or leasing a vehicle. Without car insurance, you may not be able to drive your car legally.
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.
Property damage coverage protects you if your car damages someone else’s property, such as another car, a fence, or a building front. When choosing your property damage liability limits, consider all assets, including home and future earnings – it may help you avoid having to pay out-of-pocket after an at-fault accident.
It is estimated that one in seven drivers go uninsured, leaving you to pay out-of-pocket for damages and medical expenses not covered by the other driver. 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.
Transportation expenses/rental coverage is an inexpensive way to pay for the cost of renting a temporary replacement vehicle or the cost of public or private transportation. It comes in great handy if your vehicle is ever in an accident.
Medical payment coverage can help cover all reasonable medical expenses and funeral expenses of covered drivers and passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. In most states, it’s an optional addition to your car insurance policy.
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. You may also consider an excess liability policy which provides added limits of liability.
Physical damage coverage can protect your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident (collision coverage), is damaged by something other than a vehicle collision (comprehensive coverage) or an object or if your vehicle is stolen. This coverage is optional if your vehicle is paid for in full.
Motorcycle insurance helps protect you financially in the event of an accident or theft. It helps cover the cost of damages to your motorcycle, as well as to other vehicles or property involved in the accident. Motorcycle insurance also helps with medical expenses for you or others injured in the accident.
Additionally, some states require certain types of coverage, such as liability coverage, which covers damages that you cause to someone else's property or person. Without motorcycle insurance, you may have to pay for these costs out of pocket, which can be very expensive.