The parts of an auto policy, explained
Six kinds of coverage make up almost every personal auto policy. Here's what each one does, who tends to need it, and what to ask when you compare.
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Liability
Liability is the part of an auto policy that pays other people when you cause a crash. Most states require some amount of it, but the legal minimum and the amount that actually fits your life can be very different numbers.
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Collision
Collision coverage repairs or replaces your own car after it hits another vehicle or an object, regardless of who was at fault. It comes with a deductible you choose, and lenders often require it on financed and leased cars.
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Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car from things other than a collision: theft, hail, fire, flooding, falling branches, vandalism and animal strikes. It's often paired with collision, and lenders usually require both on financed or leased cars.
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Uninsured Motorist
Not every driver on the road carries insurance, and plenty carry only a small amount. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage steps in for your injuries, and sometimes your car, when the driver who hits you can't pay for the harm they caused.
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Medical Payments & PIP
Medical payments coverage and personal injury protection pay medical costs for you and your passengers after a crash, usually no matter who caused it. PIP can go further, covering part of your lost wages and more, and some states require it.
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Gap, Rental & Roadside
Beyond the core coverages, most insurers offer extras such as gap coverage, rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, new-car replacement and accident forgiveness. Each one costs a little extra, and each one solves a specific problem. The trick is knowing which problems you actually have.
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A simplified view. Your policy wording controls, and rules vary by state and insurer.
| Coverage | Other people's injuries and property | Your own car | You and your passengers' injuries | Often required by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liability | Most states | |||
| Collision | Lenders | |||
| Comprehensive | Lenders | |||
| Uninsured motorist | Some states | Some states | ||
| Medical payments / PIP | Some states | |||
| Gap, rental, roadside | Varies | Optional |
"Lenders" means a lender or leasing company usually requires it while you owe money on the car. "Some states" means requirements differ from state to state.
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