Auto Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
What does car insurance cover?
Your car insurance coverage depends on the type of policy you purchase. Different types of car insurance include:
*Bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD) liability coverage for damaged caused to other people or property.
*Personal injury protection (PIP) to cover medical expenses and other damages.
*Collision and comprehensive coverage for damage done to your vehicle in collisions, and in non-collisions (i.e., fire, vandalism, or theft).
*Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage protects in the event of an accident where the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance.
How much does car insurance cost?
Car insurance rates depend on a number of factors. These include:
*Personal details like age, sex, and marital status
*Where you live
*Average annual distance driven
*Your vehicle
*Your credit
*Your coverage amount and type
Can I get car insurance if I don’t own a car?
Yes. Most car insurance companies offer what’s known as non-owner car insurance policies. These policies usually don’t cover collision or comprehensive coverage, but offer standard liability coverage and may let you add medical and underinsured/uninsured motorist protection.
What is gap insurance?
Gap insurance fills the gap between what your insurance company pays and for accident or theft, and what you owe on an existing car loan.
Car insurance pays out depending on your car’s current value. Because many cars lose value quickly, you may find yourself in a situation where you owe more on a loan than what the car is actually worth — for instance, you buy a $30,000 car and in one year it is valued at $22,000, but you still have $25,000 left on your own. Gap insurance covers that $3,000 difference.
Why do some insurers want to know my VIN when I’m getting a car insurance quote?
Many car insurance companies will want your vehicle identification number (VIN) when you’re applying for a car insurance quote so that they can automatically pull up the specifics of your vehicle. The more the auto insurer knows about your vehicle, the more accurate your car insurance quote will be.