Car Insurance 101
You know you need car insurance, but do you understand how it protects you and your finances?
Get more peace of mind while driving knowing you, your car, your passengers, other cars, people and property are covered in an accident through car insurance. Read on to explore how auto insurance can give you more protection on the road.
When your car is damaged in a covered accident, your car insurance coverage can help you get it repaired or replaced with two key types of coverage - collision and comprehensive coverage.
If you are in a car accident and you collide with another car or something else, like a tree, highway guardrail or mailbox, your auto insurance collision coverage would cover the cost to repair your car, subject to the limits in your coverage and minus the deductible.
Your comprehensive coverage protects you when something happens to your car causing damage. If your car is stolen, vandalized or damaged by something, like a tree branch falling on it, your auto insurance comprehensive coverage would cover the cost to repair your car, subject to the limits in your coverage and minus the deductible.
Remember, general maintenance and mechanical repairs are not covered by auto insurance.
Medical payments coverage pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers following a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage is sometimes referred to as MedPay.
Medical payments coverage typically covers expenses for:
Medical and hospital bills including cost for emergency room care, hospitalization, surgery, and other medical expenses related to the accident
Dental expenses resulting from dental injuries in an accident
Ambulance and paramedic services needed for transportation to the hospital
Medical payments coverage is optional in most states, and only covers medical expenses up to the limit of your policy. You set those limits when you buy your car insurance. Once medical bills for an accident reach that limit, you will be responsible for any additional costs.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which is required in some states, extends coverage beyond just medical costs. In addition to medical expenses, PIP provides coverage for:
Lost wages if you or your injured passengers are unable to work due to injuries
Rehabilitation costs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other services needed for recovery
If you own a vehicle, in most states you're required by law to have liability coverage. If you're in an accident and are found to be at fault, your liability insurance will cover the damages that you're responsible for up to your policy limits. Again, you set those limits when you buy or update your policy with your insurance agent. There are two types of liability protection - Bodily Injury and Property Damage.
If you cause an accident and others are injured, your bodily injury liability coverage can provide protection for cost related to that injury including:
Medical expenses including the cost of hospitalization, surgery, and other medical treatments
Lost wages if the person injured is unable to work due to their injuries
Pain and suffering resulting from the accident
Legal fees and judgments
If you cause an accident, your property damage liability coverage can cover the damage to property resulting from the accident. That could include the following expenses:
Cost to repair the other driver's car
General property damage including items such as buildings, fences, and other structures that were damaged in the accident
Legal fees and judgment if the other person files a lawsuit against you
When you're in an accident with someone who is at fault and doesn't have liability insurance to cover the damage, your insurance can provide two levels of protection - Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist Coverage.
If the other driver doesn't have insurance at all, your Uninsured Motorist Coverage can help cover the damage to your car and medical cost and lost wages resulting from any injuries you incurred in the accident. This is optional coverage that can provide you with peace of mind knowing you're covered even when the other driver isn't.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage protects you when you're in an accident with someone who has auto liability insurance, but it's not enough to cover the damage.
If the accident was the other person's fault, their car insurance should pay the expenses. But if they are carrying their state minimum coverage, the amount required by law in their state, it may fall short of your car repair cost or medical expenses. Your Underinsured Motorist Coverage can help fill the coverage gap to help you recover from the accident.
You may also want to add more coverages to your car insurance to provide extra protection. Consider these add-ons to customize the coverage based on your needs.
This coverage helps protect your investment in a new car purchase. If your new car sustains severe damage in a covered accident, most insurance companies will only pay you the current market value of your car. COUNTRY will pay you for a brand-new car, same make and model as long as the cost of the damages exceeds the new car pricing1. Ask your insurance agent about The Keeper for full details on how this coverage works.
When you're stranded on the side of the road or you lock your keys in the car, your roadside assistance or emergency road service coverage can help. You’ll be reimbursed up to $100 total for towing, delivery of fuel, repair parts and labor charges.
Vehicle rental and trip interruption coverage helps if you have an accident away from home. Get reimbursed up to $800 for a rental car if you have a claim. If you have an accident more than 100 miles from home, this coverage also applies to travel expenses like transportation, lodging, and meals. These expense limits are different for each state, so ask your rep what this coverage looks like where you live.
Personal effects coverage protects you if things like your phone or laptop are stolen from your car. Just remember, the limit is $800.
Safety glass coverage helps if your windshield, car windows or headlight covers need repair. If you have this additional insurance, you don’t have to pay your Comprehensive coverage deductible.
Umbrella insurance is an extra layer of liability insurance over what you have in your auto and home insurance. The additional insurance is designed to protect you and your finances against large liability claims such as major accidents or legal settlements.
Your auto and home insurance liability protection has limits. An umbrella policy extends those limits and could provide coverage you need. Talk with your insurance agent about your personal situation.
You know you need car insurance, but do you understand how it protects you and your finances?
When you understand your car insurance options, you can make the right choices for your situation.
If you have an auto insurance claim, you want to know you have the protection you need to get you back on the road.
Learn more about your coverage options and meet regularly with your insurance agent to keep your coverage up to date.
Your COUNTRY Financial insurance agent can help you get more value from your auto insurance coverage by applying any car insurance discounts you qualify for. Your agent will want to learn all about your car insurance needs, so be prepared to answer these questions.
Start online, find a local insurance agent or call us at 866-COUNTRY (866-268-6879). We'll help you find car insurance that works for you.
COUNTRY Financial® is a family of affiliated companies (collectively, COUNTRY) located in Bloomington, IL. Learn more about who we are.
Auto insurance policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, COUNTRY Preferred Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Casualty Insurance Company®, Bloomington, IL.
1 Restrictions and other guidelines may apply. See policy for details.
Discounts and availability vary by state.
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