May 1, 2022
What You Should Know About Auto Insurance Coverage
An auto insurance policy usually has several types of protections or 鈥渃overages鈥濃攕ome required and some optional. Some coverages may automatically be part of your policy unless you opt out of them. You must decide what coverages best fit your needs, which may mean choosing more coverages to meet requirements.
Coverage Types
If you have an auto loan, your lender requires you to carry full coverage. This means you will need both comprehensive and collision coverage.
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Comprehensive coverage reimburses you for damage to your car that鈥檚 not caused by a collision. This includes theft, hail, windstorm, flood, fire, and impact by an animal. Comprehensive coverage will reimburse you if your windshield is pitted, cracked, or damaged.
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Collision coverage pays for damage to your car from a collision with another car, an object, a pothole, or from flipping over.
Liability
There are two types of liability insurance under your policy: bodily injury and property damage. Both are required in most states.
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Bodily injury liability applies to injuries you cause to someone else. You and family members listed on the policy also are covered when driving someone else鈥檚 car with their permission.
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Property damage liability is also required by state law. This coverage pays for damages you cause to someone else鈥檚 car or objects and structures you hit with your car.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
In some states, you鈥檙e required to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
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Uninsured motorist coverage reimburses you if an uninsured or a hit-and-run driver hits you.
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Underinsured motorist coverage pays when an at-fault driver doesn鈥檛 have enough insurance to fully pay for your loss.
What your policy may not cover
In some instances, you may not be covered by your auto policy and will need a separate form of coverage.
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Guaranteed auto protection (GAP) insurance. If your car is damaged, and its market value is less than what you owe, your policy will not pay off your auto loan. Auto dealers and lenders may offer GAP insurance for this purpose, which covers the difference between what you owe and the actual value of your vehicle.
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Rental insurance covers the cost of renting a car while your own vehicle is undergoing repairs.
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Roadside or Towing coverage reimburses you for your costs if your car is disabled. For example, the coverage might pay if you have your car towed to a service facility or you lock your keys in the car.
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Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This coverage pays for treating injuries to you and your passengers. PIP, which is available in 鈥渘o-fault鈥 states, can also cover lost wages and funeral costs up to your policy鈥檚 limit. If you live in a no-fault state, your own insurance company pays for injuries to you and your passengers regardless of who鈥檚 at fault.
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Specialty vehicles. Your auto policy will not cover motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-road vehicles, recreational vehicles (RVs), or commercial vehicles.
About the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
As part of our state-based system of insurance regulation in the United States, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (不良研究所官方) provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers. The U.S. standard-setting organization is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Through the 不良研究所官方, state insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer reviews, and coordinate regulatory oversight. 不良研究所官方 staff supports these efforts and represents the collective views of state regulators domestically and internationally.