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Why do you need automobile insurance?
All states require you to be
financially responsible when driving a car. Depending on your state,
you may be required to purchase auto insurance or post a bond. State
law (and/or your lender) often requires you to purchase at least a
minimum amount of auto insurance. You may find it prudent to purchase
greater coverage, however, in order to protect your auto investment,
pay for necessary medical expenses, cover your legal liability, and
cover any additional losses related to driving. Consider the following:
if you cause an accident and the other driver suffers damages over and
above your insurance limits, your personal assets and future earnings
may be put at risk.
What do you need to know?
First of all, you need to know how
to read and understand an auto insurance policy. Next, you'll want to
balance cost against desired coverage. Finally, you should evaluate and
compare the various car insurance products to ensure that you get the
best deal possible.
Your policy is broken into sections. It discusses types of
coverage, rights, and obligations under the policy, and exclusions or
limitations. Types of coverage include liability coverage
(injuries/damage you cause to other people and other property), medical
payments coverage (medical expenses that will be paid--up to a
specified limit--regardless of fault), uninsured/underinsured motorist
coverage (losses caused by a driver who is uninsured or has inadequate
insurance), and coverage for damage to your auto (accident damage and
other damage or loss).
What is a deductible?
Regarding damage to your own auto,
collision and comprehensive coverage's may each include a deductible. A
deductible is basically a risk that is self insured. It's an amount of
money that you are required to pay before your insurance kicks in.
Deductibles can come in any dollar amount, but are generally $100,
$250, $500, or $1000.
Coverage vs. cost
You need to balance coverage
against cost. Choosing the appropriate level of coverage depends on a
number of factors, including the value of your vehicle, the value of
assets you must protect, the amount of money you can afford to pay
out-of-pocket, and your tolerance for risk. If a claim against you
exceeds your coverage limits, you will be personally responsible for
the amount that exceeds the coverage. Your insurance agent can tailor
the policy to your needs. To arrive at the cost of your premium, your
insurer will consider the coverage levels you select and will use
statistical information about you and your car. There are several ways
to reduce the cost of your premium.
Evaluating and comparing coverage's
Before purchasing auto insurance,
you should evaluate and compare the various products offered to ensure
that you get the best deal possible. Compare policies in terms of
price, coverage, exclusions, and reputation of insurer. Shop around for
different quotes, but make sure you are comparing similar policies.
Also, weigh the policy cost against both coverage and quality of
service provided.
When to get it
You may need to purchase auto
insurance whenever you buy a new or used car. You may also need to
reconsider your present policy if your family situation changes.
Because marital status, number of children, and asset levels may change
over time, you should review existing policies from time to time to
ensure adequate coverage.
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