by Nathan Michael - Posted 2 years ago
You know
that carrying auto insurance is a must to protect yourself, your family, your
vehicle and even other drivers on the road in the event of an accident. But, do
you ever feel confused about the different parts of your auto policy? What’s
the difference between “bodily injury liability” and “personal injury
protection”? What does it mean to have comprehensive coverage? If you’ve ever
asked these questions, you’re not alone. While the language of auto plans can
be confusing at times, with a little education it becomes easier to keep
everything straight.
Here are six
basic components of most vehicle policies and how they protect you:
Bodily
Injury Liability. This coverage applies to
injuries the policyholder (or someone driving the policyholder’s vehicle)
causes to someone else. This coverage is extremely important if you find
yourself involved in an accident that involves hospitalizations or significant
injuries. An injury-related lawsuit could be financially crippling without it.
Collision. This
coverage pays for damage to your car. In the event of an accident, collision
coverage will pay for the cost of repairing your vehicle, minus the amount of
your deductible. Typically, deductibles fall in the $250 to $1,000 range.
Comprehensive. This
part of your policy is designed to protect you if your vehicle is stolen or
damaged by something other than a collision. This might include a fire, a
flood, a windstorm, an earthquake or other natural disasters. It might also
include vandalism or falling objects. As with collision, this coverage is
subject to a deductible.
Personal
Injury Protection. This coverage can provide medical
care for the driver, and any passengers, who are in the policyholder’s car at
the time of an accident.
Property
Damage Liability. This coverage pays for any
damage that you, or someone driving your car with permission, causes to someone
else’s vehicle or property. This deals with property, not injury.
Uninsured
and Underinsured Motorist Coverage. This
coverage comes into play if you are hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.
And
remember, you don’t have to know everything about your auto policy to know you
are protected. Your insurance agent is an expert in auto insurance policies and
can answer any questions that may come up.