Auto Insurance 101By Chris Tolamalu
Auto insurance, as the term suggests, is insurance that you can purchase for your vehicle (cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, etc.). It provides protection against losses incurred as a result of vehicle accidents. While the product seems simple, there are many different types of auto insurance policies available for purchase. Depending on the policy that you choose, your coverage levels and types will vary. Broadly speaking, these are the types of auto insurance programs on the market today:
Coverage:
• ‘Comprehensive coverage’ (Comp) – This kind of insurance insures your vehicle against the cost of purchasing a new vehicle if it is stolen or destroyed in a fire.
• ‘Collision coverage’ (Coll) – This kind of insurance insures your vehicle against the cost of repairing the vehicle following an accident or the cost of purchasing a new vehicle if it is damaged in an accident beyond economic repair.
Protection:
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) - This insures against the cost of medical expenses and lost wages related to the use, ownership or maintenance of a motor vehicle. This insurance is mandatory in some U.S. states.
• Medical Payments (MP) - insures against the cost of medical expenses for bodily injury sustained in an accident beyond any expenses that may be covered by PIP.
• Legal liability claims against the driver or owner of the vehicle following the vehicle causing damage or injury to a third party.
While ‘Liability insurance’ covers only legal liability, ‘comprehensive insurance’ covers PIP, MP, as well as legal liability. In the United States, liability insurance covers claims against the policyholder and any other operator of the insured’s vehicle. If, however, any other operators live at the same address, they must specifically be covered on the policy. For rented vehicles, most rental car companies offer insurance to cover damage to the rental vehicle.
While comprehensive insurance covers most aspects of damage which can affect the car itself or the driver, there is one risk associated with buying a new car is not covered even by comprehensive insurance – once the car is bought, there is a sharp decline in its value. During this period (immediately after a car is bought), in which the remaining car payments exceed the value of the vehicle and thus the compensation the insurer will pay for a ‘totaled’ (destroyed, or written-off) vehicle, customers may consider purchasing ‘GAP insurance’. GAP insurance was established in the early 1980's to provide protection to consumers based on buying and market trends.
|
A Primer on Student Car Insurance Discounts
A good student discount can help lower your insurance premium and give college kids and teens an incentive to hit the books.
Arizona mom who left children in hot car regains custody
By David Schwartz PHOENIX (Reuters) - An Arizona woman who attracted national attention in March when she left her two young children in a hot car while at a job interview regained custody of them on Thursday, her lawyer said. Shanesha Taylor, whose tear-stained mug shot was broadcast widely and generated nearly $115,000 in donations, will be allowed to take her two sons home from state care ...
Owners, renters blame HOA for flooding
Heavy rains dumped over six inches of water on parts of the East Valley on Monday morning, causing road closures, flooding, and thousands of dollars in damage.
Two dead in Arizona flooding
Frances Burns PHOENIX, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- At least two women were killed as a record-breaking storm fueled by the remnants of Hurricane Norbert dumped inches of water on much of Arizona.
State Farm announces Arizona monsoon claim numbers
Residents encouraged to contact their insurance agent to ask questions and report damage.
Good2Go® Releases Cell Phone Safety Discount in AZ
ATLANTA, Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Good2Go®, specialists in minimum coverage auto insurance, announced that their Cell Phone Safety Discount is now available in Arizona. Customers will receive 5% off ...
Arizona Mom Who Left Children In Car During Interview Regains Custody Of Her Kids
Shanesha Taylor?s life is turning around! The Scottsdale, AZ mom, who made national headlines after leaving her children in a hot car during a job interview, has reportedly regained custody of her three children. According to the Daily Mail, Taylor attended a custody hearing in a Maricopa County courtroom on Thursday, August 28. The judge Arizona Mom Who Left Children In Car During Interview ...
Top 10 stolen cars in Arizona in 2013
A new report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau lists the top 10 vehicles most popular with car thieves in 2013.
Arizona Declares State of Emergency
Arizona Declares State of Emergency
San Antonio No. 2 in tailgate thefts
Nationwide, there were 1,921 insurance claims citing stolen tailgates off of pickup trucks between Jan. 1, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2013.
|
