Auto insurance » Bodily Injury Liability

What Does Auto Insurance Cover

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:53:21 +0000

Auto insurance is an extremely important if you operate a vehicle. Auto insurance is used to protect you the individual or a business or organization from financial loss in regards to a motor vehicle. Financial loss can happen due to many reasons, and having auto insurance can cover your losses in a variety of ways. There are six major types of coverage’s available through auto insurance companies, they are:

Liability for Property Damage
Liability for property damage is coverage against damage you or a person driving your vehicle with your permission does to someone else’s property. Damages can include the other vehicle, utility poles, fences, buildings, homes, businesses, or almost any type of structure your vehicle comes into contact with.

Liability for Bodily Injury
Liability coverage for bodily injury is to pay for damages that you or someone given permission to operate your vehicle causes to another person. Because, bodily injury can be quite expensive, it is important to make sure that you and your family has enough of this type of coverage.

Collision
Collision coverage protects your vehicle from damages resulting from an accident (collision with another car, pot hole, car flipping over, etc). Collision coverage will pay for repairing your vehicle, or if your vehicle was totaled in the accident it will reimburse you for the value of the vehicle (subtracting deductible and in many cases other costs).

Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage will protect you against losses from theft or other types of damages that are other than a collision, including fire, hail, vandalism, contact with animals, and acts of god (such as hurricanes, flooding, etc)

Medical/Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Medical/PIP coverage pays for treatment when you are injured in a motor vehicle accident either when you are driving a vehicle or are a passenger in your own vehicle. Some policies include broader coverage such as rehabilitation costs, lost wages and even funeral costs.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist
Uninsured coverage will protect you from damages when a driver without insurance or a hit an run driver causes an accident with you, your family members or your vehicle.
Underinsured coverage can be useful in covering damages by an at fault driver that is underinsured or doesn’t have sufficient resources to pay for your damages. For instance, this coverage can protect you if you are hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian.

It is important to note that the above types of coverage’s can require separate fees and each type of coverage can have different deductibles.

By: Connie Barker

New Jersey Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Requirements – How to Find the Best NJ Car Insurance

admin — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:40:29 +0000

Finding the best New Jersey car insurance rates is often just a matter of doing your research. Read on to learn some of the New Jersey car insurance basics and find out a few things that maybe you didn’t know about auto insurance coverage in New Jersey and then put your newfound knowledge to good use shopping around and comparing NJ car insurance quotes. Read on and see how much you may be able to save!

In New Jersey you are also required to have a minimum bodily injury liability coverage in the amount of $15,000 per person up to a total of $30,000 per accident. Bodily injury liability protects you or another driver on your policy if you are found to be at fault in an accident that resulted in an injury or death, for such things as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and legal defense, if necessary.

You’re also required to have at least $5,000 of property damage liability in New Jersey. If you or another driver on your policy is found to be at fault in an accident, property liability damage will cover damage to another person’s property such as a fence, car, or home, and any legal costs associated with the accident.

In addition, you are required to have a minimum of $15,000 of personal injury protection. Personal injury protection may include all medical expenses, dental and optometric treatment, ambulance and nursing services, necessary medications, medical supplies, and prosthetic devices.

Be sure and shop around and compare NJ auto insurance companies side by side in order to find the best NJ car insurance coverage.

By: James J. Robinson

Montana Car Insurance Guide – Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Montana

admin — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 11:26:08 +0000

What are the Montana car insurance minimum coverage requirements? How does one find the cheapest Montana car insurance rates? What are some of the best Montana auto insurance companies? Read on to get answers to your MT car insurance question and learn how to find the best Montana auto insurance policy for your specific needs.

The Penalty For Not Having Montana Car Insurance

Do you know what it means not to have car insurance in Montana? For Montana drivers it may mean a misdemeanor charge that includes a fine of up to $500 and 5 points added to your license (30 points on your driver’s license in Montana leads to automatic revocation of your driver’s license). As an added bonus a free 10 day vacation in the county jail.

Plus, if you didn’t learn the first time, the state of Montana will either charge you another fine, higher than the first time, or put you in jail for another 10 days. In addition, you’ll also have your driver’s license suspended for 90 days.

Montana Tort Auto Insurance Laws

Montana is under a tort system when it comes to car accidents. This means that for you to be charged with an accident’s damages, you must be proven to have been the cause of the accident. Each state under a tort system of law for car insurance operates slightly different, so the best place to go in the State of Montana to find out about the minimum state car insurance requirements is by contacting the Montana State Auditor in Helena by calling (406) 444-2040, or by visiting their website at http://sao.mt.gov.

Montana Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Requirements

Under Montana law, you must have Bodily Injury Liability coverage with a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Bodily Injury Liability car insurance covers the medical expenses of all occupants of your car in the event of an accident.

Montana residents are also required to carry $10,000 of Property Damage car insurance coverage. Property Damage coverage pays for any property damages resulting from an accident, including the damages suffered by the other driver.

Keep in mind these are only the minimum requirements for the state of Montana. With the rising costs of car repairs and medical expenses, the numbers can add up fast. Since you will be held personally responsible for any expenses not covered by insurance, you may want to increase these coverage amounts substantially.

Montana Optional Auto Insurance Coverage

While not required under Montana law, you may want to purchase collision and comprehensive car insurance coverage. Collision pays for damages to your vehicle in the event of an accident, and comprehensive car insurance will pay for repairs up to the Blue Book value of the car. If the cost of repair exceeds the Blue Book value, the car may be deemed to be totaled, and you would be awarded the cash value of your car. It’s for this reason that many lenders require that any car purchased with a car loan carry comprehensive car insurance.

Uninsured/underinsured insurance is not required in Montana but is highly recommended. This type of car insurance coverage protects you in the even that you are in an accident with a driver who either is uninsured or underinsured. This type of coverage will also help pay for medical expenses and car repairs following an accident with one of these drivers.

You might also want to consider Personal Injury Protection car insurance coverage in addition to the Montana state requirements. Personal Injury Protection coverage insures you and your passengers to provide help with medical bills, lost wages, and replacement services after an accident, even if you were found to be the cause of that accident.

How To Find Cheap Montana Car Insurance Rates

As always, you may want to review your Montana car insurance policy once every 6 months to make sure you have adequate coverage for your driving needs and you are not paying any more than you should. Shop around and do a side-by-side comparison of prices and the coverage offered. Compare at least 3 different car insurance companies in order to find the best rate.

Montana Auto Insurance Companies

No one single insurer is the best choice for every Montana resident so be sure and shop around. Here is a listing of some of the top MT car insurance companies:

AIG
SF Insurance
GEICO
Allstate
Esurance
Liberty Mutual
Progressive

Compare Montana Car Insurance Quotes Online

So if you live in Montana and plan on a drive down Sun Road in Glacier Park, considered to be the one of the most scenic drives in the United States, you may want to make sure you have proper car insurance. Of course, there is no need to have to drive all around town as well and get rates from one Montana auto insurance agent after another – there is an easier way. Compare MT auto insurance quotes online from competing companies and then choose the one that will best meet your needs.

By: James J. Robinson

Cheap Car Insurance in New Jersey

admin — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:34:20 +0000

Thanks to the Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act, New Jersey drivers are able to buy a basic car insurance policy in New Jersey – and what’s cheaper than purchasing the most basic car insurance policy available?

The Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act makes it possible for drivers to get cheap car insurance in New Jersey by offering them a policy even cheaper than the standard car insurance policy. The basic car insurance policy includes personal injury protection of $15,000 per person, per accident, and $250,000 per significant or permanent injury. However, the latter depends on the policy definitions. It also includes property damage liability of $5,000 per accident.

Bodily injury liability isn’t included in the basic insurance policy, but it’s an option. If a policyholder chooses to add bodily injury liability, the policyholder will have $10,000 for everyone, per accident.

Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage aren’t available with the basic car insurance policy, nor is collision coverage or comprehensive coverage. However, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage can be added on, depending upon how the basic car insurance policy was issued.

As you can see, the basic car insurance policy in New Jersey, although it’s the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey, offers very minimal coverage; however, it does offer important coverage, as well as additional features. Those drivers with the basic car insurance policy in New Jersey have the right to take legal action in the event of a motor vehicle-related accident, whereas those drivers without any insurance don’t have that right.

The basic car insurance policy isn’t for everyone. Those drivers who choose to obtain cheap car insurance in New Jersey by purchasing the basic car insurance policy should do so only if they don’t have much family responsibility, they are just starting out in the work force, it is the first car insurance policy they’ve ever purchase, or they can’t afford any other car insurance for whatever reason.

By: Elizabeth Newberry

Michigan Auto Insurance Laws – MI Car Insurance Laws You Need to Know

admin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 01:38:03 +0000

There are many different Michigan auto insurance laws that are important for all MI drivers to at least have a basic understanding of. Michigan has a no fault auto insurance law. Most states throughout America have tort laws, but Michigan is one of the few that does not. Such no-fault laws are put in place to try and reduce the number of frivolous and fraudulent lawsuits that result from car accidents. The car insurance laws in Michigan are very comprehensive and provide for excellent benefits if you are injured in a car accident.

Understanding The MI No Fault Auto Insurance Law

Michigan’s no fault law simply means that if you are involved in a car accident, bodily injuries are paid for by your own insurance coverage, regardless of who was at fault in the accident. For you this means that apart from the fact that it is required by law, it is also in your best interest to carry at least the minimum insurance coverage in the state.

Michigan no fault insurance provides for your medical expenses in these ways:

A. Unlimited coverage for medical and rehabilitative costs

B. Wage loss protection

C. Replacement services of $20 daily, for as long as 3 years

Michigan State Required Auto Insurance Coverage

The state of Michigan requires you to carry liability limits of 20/40/10 and personal injury protection coverage.

- 20/40/10 means $20,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person, $40,000 per accident in total and $10,000 in property damage liability

- PIP, as personal injury protection is called, pays all the medical costs that you incur if you are hurt in a car accident.

Comparing Michigan Auto Insurance Coverage Options

There are other types of car insurance available in Michigan also, including personal property coverage like collision and comprehensive, amongst others. To get more pricing on your car insurance needs, check out an online quote tool. It will provide you with a variety of Michigan auto insurance quotes from top insurers, so you can compare and contrast price, coverage and service.

By: James J. Robinson

Colorado Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Requirements

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:03:42 +0000

Are you aware of the Colorado auto insurance minimum coverage requirements? The minimum levels of auto insurance coverage requirements are set by CO lawmakers. Driving without the required insurance is a very serious matter and can result in penalties and unwanted hassle.

Bodily Injury Liability

As a Colorado driver, you must have at least $25,000 in individual bodily injury liability insurance in place. This type of insurance pays for the medical expenses of a person injured in an automobile accident where you are considered the at-fault driver. Your policy must also have a cap of at least $50,000 to pay the medical bills for two or more people injured in the same accident.

Property Damage Liability

The property damage liability portion of your policy pays for damage caused to objects, such as the other driver’s vehicle, a mailbox, a fence, or a shed. The minimum level of coverage required by law in CO is $15,000.

Please keep in mind that the minimum levels of insurance coverage set out here are just that. Drivers in Colorado do have the option of buying more coverage if they want to. Before you make a decision about what level of coverage to buy, you will need to keep in mind that if you at the at-fault driver in an accident, you will be responsible for paying for damages above your policy limits.

It makes more sense to insure your vehicle properly and not take the chance that you will have to consider tapping into your savings or liquidating your assets after an accident. Your insurance company or agent can help you to figure out how much coverage you should have in place.

Find Colorado Auto Insurance Coverage Today

Now that you know what the Colorado auto insurance minimum coverage requirements are, why don’t you get take the next step and make sure you have enough protection for your needs? Spend a few moments comparing rates from some of the top companies and you can be on your way to the best Colorado car insurance in a jiffy!

By: James J. Robinson

Get a Low Cost Auto Insurance Quote in Florida

admin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:12:10 +0000

Looking for a low cost auto insurance quotes in Florida? Here’s how to find the best quotes with the best companies.

Florida Auto Insurance Requirements

If you own a car in the state of Florida you are required to carry auto insurance, even if your car is inoperative. The minimum amount of insurance is:

1. $10,000 Personal Injury Protection – this coverage pays for expenses due to injuries regardless of who was at fault. PIP coverage applies to you, relatives who live in your home, passengers in your car, and anyone who drives your car. You are also covered if you’re hit by a car while walking or riding a bicycle.

2. $10,000 Property Damage Liability – this coverage pays for damages you or your family cause to other people in a car crash.

If you were involved in a prior auto accident you may be required to carry Bodily Injury Liability coverage in addition to the above coverages. This coverage pays for expenses due to injury or death to others when you, or family members living with you, cause an auto accident. It also pays for legal expenses if you’re sued by the injured party.

Additional Coverage

In addition to the required auto insurance coverage you may want to get the following coverages:

* Collision coverage – pays for damages to your car by another car or an object, regardless of who was at fault.

* Comprehensive coverage – pays for damage done to your car by vandalism, theft, fire, hail, and causes other than a collision.

* Uninsured/Underinsured coverage – pays for medical expenses and property damage costs for you, your family, and your passengers when caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver.

Get a Low Cost Quote

The easiest way to get a low cost Florida auto insurance quote is to comparison shop for insurance online. There are a number of sites where you can get quotes from different companies, compare quotes, then choose the best quote. Some of these sites even have a toll-free telephone number and a chat feature where you can talk with an insurance expert and get answers to you questions. (See link below.)

By: Brian Stevens

Different Auto Insurance Options Available

admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:48:34 +0000

Different auto insurance companies offer different types of coverage to suit any need, budget, and car type. And the best option is to have your car independantly valued first by visiting Kelly blue book.

When you wheel and deal directly with auto insurance companies, the “middleman” is taken right out of the equation, and this helps a company keep their rates as low as they can.

As auto insurance companies constitute a growing industrial sector, these companies provide a wide range of employment opportunities for beginners as well as experienced persons. If you are new to Texas or if you are visiting and bringing in your car, you must immediately arrange for an auto insurance coverage if you do not have one yet.

Generally, all you need to do to cancel your auto insurance policy is to inform your insurance company in writing, specifying the date you want the policy canceled. It is very easy to shop around for a new auto insurance company, since most company websites offer you instant quotes and deals online and give their contact details for further information. One type of coverage is called liability and that is the least coverage a person can get.

The insurance requirement does not end with auto insurance. Trying to determine the right amount of auto insurance coverage you need for your car or automobile can initially look like it will be a daunting task at best. If you do decide to only insure your car or automobile with liability auto insurance then no matter what your state mandated minimum insurance requirements are it would be beneficial to carry the following amount of auto insurance, $50,000 bodily injury liability for one person, $100,000 for all folks injured in an accident and $25,000 property damage liability.

Although the policy of don’t ask, don’t tell seemed like a good idea for the military, should it be the same with auto insurance company?

Some of the other aspects that are considered when you are shopping for low cost auto insurance policies are, how long you have been driving, miles driven to work, miles you drive per year and how long you have had auto insurance.

One of the best ways to take a look at the good, bad and the ugly about auto insurance companies is by checking out online company reviews.

Making your teens safe while they are driving is one of the most importance issues in your auto insurance policy.

You can sit in the comfort of your home and get quotes from several insurance companies for the best rates for your auto insurance.

By: Calvin Leonard

Auto Insurance

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:01:54 +0000

Auto insurance can make all of the difference in the world in the unfortunate event of an accident. Not only does it cover property damage, but auto insurance offers other protections as well.

For example, liability coverage will cover damage you cause to other vehicles in an accident, and it can also cover others’ medical expenses.

The type of policy you have will determine the dollar amount of coverage you receive in these areas. The cost of the policy will be affected by the level of protection you buy, and other factors such as your age, and driving record.

Given the importance of auto insurance, it’s a good idea to shop carefully when looking for appropriate coverage.

The policy itself is a contract that specifies your obligations, as well as the financial commitment of the insurer. The amount you pay for a set term of coverage is called the premium. Generally the premium of your auto insurance is fixed for the term of the policy barring unforeseen events, such as an accident.

State requirements for auto insurance vary from state to state and from individual to individual. Speaking to an insurance professional will help you make a decision based on your particular needs.

The premium for auto insurance is directly connected to 6 levels of coverage. These levels include comprehensive, collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, property damage liability, bodily injury liability, and medical payments (also known as personal injury protection).

Comprehensive protection covers losses that are not a direct result of an accident. For example, comprehensive would come in handy if you sustained damage to your car due to a hailstorm.

Some drivers choose not to carry comprehensive, especially if they are driving an older vehicle of little monetary value. Also the deductible (the portion of an expense you pay out of pocket)may exceed the value of some older cars.

On the other hand, if you purchase a new car, especially with a loan, you may need to incorporate comprehensive in your policy.

Collision coverage appropriately covers your automobile in the event of a collision. This protection covers damage even if it’s determined you’re at fault in the accident. The cost of collision coverage will be affected by the deductible. Generally speaking, the higher your deductible the lower the premium for your auto insurance.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage covers you in the event that you are in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. This protects you as well as any other designated driver of your car. This coverage can be invaluable if you sustain significant injury. This type of coverage may also cover you if you are a pedestrian and a driver hits you.

Property damage liability covers damages you cause to another vehicle. It also covers damages you might cause to other property. If for example, you take out the neighbor’s fence going around a corner, property damage liability coverage will cover this.

Bodily injury liability coverage is particularly important. This helps protect you financially in the event that you cause an accident and cause injury to other people.

Medical payments coverage (personal injury protection) is a type of coverage that protects you and the occupants of your car for medical related expenses.

Auto insurance will help you and those you love if a mishap occurs. Finding the right auto insurance policy will help make your driving experience safer and more pleasurable.

For more information, see Make-Getting-Insurance-Easy.com/auto-insurance

By: David S

Evaluating Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:08:27 +0000

Different states will require varying insurance requirements. It is therefore significant to educate yourself about your state’s minimum auto insurance requirements. This is equally important when you’re planning to move to a new state. Knowing these important information will be a critical factor if you want get maximum protection for you in the event of accidents.

Understand Your Auto Insurance Numbers

A series of three numbers are normally used by auto insurance companies to refer to property damage and bodily injury coverage. In Arizona, for example, the minimum auto insurance coverage requirements are stated as 15-30-10-$15,000 for the maximum amount to be paid for a single person injured in an accident or the bodily injury liability; $30,000 for the maximum amount to be paid for all injuries in an accident, also a bodily injury liability; and $10,000 the maximum amount to be paid for property damage or the property damage liability.

Educate Yourself about Minimum Insurance Requirements

Talk to a reliable agent or source or search the Net for accurate data regarding the minimum auto insurance requirements. And since different states will have varying features for this, it is important to know the one being implemented at the stat you are in or you are moving into.

Determine the Extent of the Requirements

It is important to be able to check whether the state’s minimum auto insurance covers not only but also your family. Be sure to check the accuracy of the coverage based on the quote you have gotten from the insurance company. If covering the entire family means having to pay larger premiums, then don’t hesitate to do so. Paying for bodily injury and other important liabilities will be a great help for you in the event of an accident involving any member.

Check If You’re in a No-Fault State

Florida, Hawaii, D.C., Delaware, Minnesota, Kentucky, Maryland, Kansas, Massachusetts, Utah, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Dakota, Texas, and Washington are states that observe the no-fault policy. In these states, insurance companies are required legally to cover the policy holder’s losses, regardless of who’s held responsible for the accident.

Knowing all these are important in evaluating your auto insurance policy. Make sure to keep your proof of auto insurance and to know well everything written on it so you will be knowledgeable of what you’re responsible of and liable to.

By: Andrei Glubakov