How Much Car Insurance Do You Need?

The amount of car insurance you need to buy depends on your state of residence, since the state insists on specific minimum auto insurance for every vehicle. Next, your budget, and the car model are other important factors in deciding the amount of insurance coverage.

You must be aware of the different types of coverage available before deciding on the desired coverage for your vehicle. In case you cause an accident, bodily injury liability covers physical harm and death of the other person.

It helps you get legal aid in case the party files a case against you. It also protects passengers in your car. Therefore, you must have this coverage for all your cars. It is available at several levels depending on the protection for every person and with a cap on the limit per accident.

A comprehensive coverage provides for loss and harm to the vehicle due to fire, floods or other events. It will pay for repairs to the car after deducting the deductible. If you choose a higher deductible, the insurance premium will be lower, but you have to pay a larger amount for repairs in case of an accident.

Collision coverage covers damage to the car if you collide in to something or another vehicle hits you. You can avoid this coverage if your car is very old, since the coverage will cost more than the depreciated value of the car.

Several car owners do not insure their vehicle. In that case, go for uninsured motorist coverage to protect you in case of an accident. A medical payment pays for injury to you and other passengers in the car involved in the accident.

Personal injury protection coverage pays for the hospital and funeral bills of the driver, the passengers, and pedestrians injured by him. You do not need this if you already have medical and disability insurance.

A property damage liability protects you in case you damage a person’s car or property. It provides for legal aid and you must include it in your insurance policy up to the maximum amount.

Extra coverage like rental car reimbursement or towing coverage is meaningless, but do go for glass protection, as replacement of broken glass is expensive. Once you know the different types of coverage, ask the premium for the next higher range, and take it as it offers wider protection at an incremental cost.

Also, base the coverage on the assets you own. Most companies help you calculate your total asset base and then decide upon the insurance amount. Based on an understanding of the above facts, you can now decide how much auto insurance to purchase.