Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
An option in most states that will provide coverage for medical expenses for individuals injured in an auto accident. Personal Injury Protection applies only to the insured driver and those covered under the car insurance policy.
Depending on the policy an individual chooses, many Personal Injury Protection policies will pay for other expenses like lost wages, physical rehabilitation, or funeral costs.
Liability Car Insurance
In all 50 states, some form of Liability Car Insurance is required. In it’s simplest form, the coverage protects the insured driver from paying for damage to persons or property the driver is legally responsible for.
There are two separate forms of coverage within a Liability Car Insurance Policy.
- Property Damage Liability
- Bodily Injury Liability
Liability Car Insurance also will cover legal expenses and/or bail bonds for the insured driver should it be necessary.
Collision Insurance
One of the most common forms of car insurance coverage, Collision Insurance is designed to pay for damage caused to an insured driver’s vehicle given the damage is caused by the following circumstances.
- Rollovers
- Collisions With Stationary Objects
- Collisions With Other Cars
In most situations, unless a special circumstance is observed, the insured driver will be required to pay a deductible when making a collision claim
Medical Payments Coverage
Though it is commonly included in many car insurance policies, Medical Payments Coverage can be added in most states if not already on the policy.
This policy will pay for medical expenses and funeral costs of those covered under the policy, should they be a result of a car accident.
Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance is designed to pay for expenses for damage to the insured driver’s vehicle when those damages are not caused by a “traditional” car accident. In most situations, a deductible will be required. Though there may be other situations comprehensive insurance would apply, the most common situations are:
- Damage to the vehicle caused by wind
- Damage to the vehicle caused by Hail
- Damage to the vehicle caused by Vandalism
- Vehicle Is Stolen
- Damage to the vehicle caused by a collision with an Animal
- Damage to the vehicle caused by Flooding
- Damage to the vehicle caused by Fire
This insurance policy is designed to provide coverage for the insured driver, should the other driver involved in an accident has liability coverage, but not enough. Often individuals will only purchase the state required minimum liability insurance policy. Many times, the state required minimum will come up short on coverage in serious situations, so Underinsured Motorist Coverage can help protect against this possibility.
When an insured driver is involved in an accident, and the other driver does not have a liability car insurance policy, Uninsured Motorist Coverage provides monetary assistance to the insured. Depending on the state, there may also be coverage to certain property under this policy.
Depending on the policy, Emergency Road Service can provide a wealth of different services. At the most basic level, this coverage will provide towing assistance should the insured driver’s vehicle breakdown. Generally there is a mileage or cost limit imposed on the policy, which is something one can choose to increase or decrease. While this service is a tremendous luxury, the cost can raise premiums significantly.
Should an insured driver be involved in an accident where there is a total loss claim, or a significant time frame for repair, Rental Reimbursement will pay for the costs to rent a vehicle. Generally there are limits imposed as to the length or cost of rental.