Consumer Tips, Tricks & Articles

How To Shop For Auto Insurance

Auto insurance is necessary for anyone that wants to drive their car, except in a few places where insurance is still not a requirement, and knowing how to shop for auto insurance can save you a bundle.

It all begins with a little comparative auto insurance shopping. But before you can begin to compare you need to understand what a standard auto insurance policy is made up of. Here are the main components that you'll need to compare.

Limited Liability

This is really the most critical part of your entire auto insurance policy. Almost all states require it, so you don't have much of a choice about purchasing it. However, you do get to decide whether you'll carry just the minimum required by law or if you'll be a smart shopper and purchase more.

Why buy more you ask? Well because it can save you a lifetime of heartache. What your liability insurance does is protect you against injury and damage if there is an accident that you're in the wrong. If you don't have limited liability insurance you would be sued personally and you could find yourself in financial ruin.

There are two parts to your liability coverage - property damage and bodily injury. Property damage protects you from the cost to property such as the vehicle, a pole, or a building. Body injury protects you from personal liability for anyone that is injured in the accident.

Each state has their own required minimum amount of liability insurance that you must carry, so you'll need to check with your own. Many states require only $50,000 but in today's world that can turn out to be not enough and most experts recommend that you carry at least $2 million dollars limited liability, no matter what the minimum you state requires.
Each state requires minimum levels of liability insurance be covered. You'll need to check for your states requirements. Insurance analysts and experts recommend a minimum of $2 million dollar in liability regardless of your states minimum, requirements which are usually around the $50,000 range.

Medical Insurance

The medical part of your insurance policy will provide you with immediate treatment should there be injuries in an accident. You and other passengers in your auto are covered no matter who was in the wrong. There are various coverage's. Some include lost wages.

Underinsured and Uninsured Protection

This is designed to protect you in an accident if the other driver is in the wrong and does not carry enough insurance or in some cases no insurance at all. They may be quoted as one policy but they are actually two individual policies.

What's the difference? If a driver doesn't have any liability coverage is it the uninsured motorist insurance that is necessary. Where as, the underinsured insurance is designed to cover injuries that are in excess of what the liability insurance of the driver in the wrong has.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is the portion of your insurance that covers the damage to your car that is not caused by another driver. This includes theft, fire, and acts of God like hail, tornado, and floods. It also cover vandalism, or if you hit a deer.

The deductibles for comprehensive vary from as little as $250 to more than $1000. The higher the deductible the lower the premium, however make sure that you can actually afford the deductible you choose because your insurance company won't be paying out until you anti up your share.

Collision Coverage

This is the coverage that kicks in if your car is damaged because of an accident, whether that involves another car or a light post, your car get's fixed. Deductibles work the same for collision as for comprehensive and can run as low as $250 or more than $4000. If you have an older vehicle that you wouldn't repair consider dropping collision coverage.

Now that you know how to shop for auto insurance and what to look for, there's one last thing. Consider getting insurance quotes online. It's an effective way to enjoy the most savings. Why wait any longer?

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