Key Takeaways
- There are several types of coverage available in auto insurance policies.
- Various factors can impact the insurance premiums you have to pay, including your driving history, credit score, age, and deductibles.
- The type of vehicle you drive can also impact your auto insurance rates.
Understanding the Basic Types of Auto Insurance Coverage
Understanding the primary types of coverage available with auto insurance policies is important to make a well-informed decision. Here are the three primary types of auto insurance coverages available:
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance helps you financially if you are liable to pay for property damage to another motorist’s vehicle due to a car accident and any personal injury or death-related claims. This coverage is mandatory in most states throughout the country.
Collision Insurance
Collision insurance helps you cover the costs of repairing your vehicle after an accident. It is necessary to have collision coverage, especially if you have financed the car through a car finance loan you have yet to pay off.
Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive insurance covers several types of damage not covered by other policies, including theft, vandalism, fire damage, water damage, and other sources.
Things That Affect Your Rates
Besides the specific coverage you choose for your auto insurance policy, here are some of the most important factors that can impact your auto insurance rates:
- Your age: Inexperienced and younger drivers typically have rates.
- Deductible: The more you pay out of pocket in case of accidents, the lower your insurance premiums will be.
- Claims: Drivers prone to getting into accidents have to pay more on their insurance premiums.
- Traffic violations: A record of moving violations like speeding can increase your insurance rate.
- Vehicle: Sports and luxury vehicles tend to have higher insurance premiums than cheaper ones.
- Anti-theft systems: Motorists who have anti-theft systems tend to get better insurance rates.
- Credit score: The better your credit score, the better the rates you can get on auto insurance policies.
Auto Insurance Shopping Tips
There are several types of auto insurance coverage available, and various factors impact the rates you can get. Understanding the factors impacting your rates and the different types of coverage available can help you make better-informed decisions when shopping for auto insurance policies. Here are a few quick tips to help you find the right policy based on your needs.
- Compare Various Insurance Policies: Always compare insurance policies by several providers. Some insurance companies offer much better rates than others for the same type of coverage.
- Beware of Insurance Rates That are Too Good: Many small insurance companies offer unbelievably better rates than larger companies. However, these companies may be more reluctant to pay out when you file a claim. Ensure that you do not select a policy only on the basis of much better rates.
- Do Your Due Diligence: It is important to research the insurance provider you’re considering. Check reviews of the company to understand what you can expect your experience to be like working with them.
When you talk to insurance agents, they will likely try to sell you more coverage than you need to make more money. Be very careful when considering the available options and do not let them upsell a policy you do not need.
To get the best rates on car insurance, be sure to shop around and compare quotes from multiple carriers. Click on the offers below to get started.
Updated February 14, 2023