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Fault
or No-Fault -- This depends on the law in your state.
Collision -- Pays damages to your own vehicle. Generally,
there is a deductible.
Comprehensive -- Pays for losses from fire, theft, storm,
etc. Generally, there is a deductible.
Deductible -- The amount of a covered loss you agree to
pay.
Bodily Injury -- Pays for injury to others when you are
at fault.
Property Damage -- Pays for property damage when you are
at fault.
Medical Payments -- Pays for your own or your passenger's
medical expenses.
Personal Injury Protection -- In no-fault states, this
covers a broad assortment of medical expenses.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist -- Pays for coverage to
you if other driver is not insured or is underinsured.
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance -- Pays for repairs, car
rentals and more when breakdowns occur.
Fault
or No-Fault
If you live in a no-fault state, your own insurance company pays for any
loss or injuries to you, no matter who causes the accident. In at-fault
states, the person at fault in the accident or their insurance company
pays. (top)
With
no-fault, most claims can be settled quickly, without litigation over
who's at fault. However, No-Fault can limit your right to sue to recover
damages. Individual states set the coverage and place limits on your
rights to sue, so check with your agent. (top)
With
a fault system, your right to sue is not restricted (nor is the other
party's right to sue you). But, court cases assigning blame can take years
to settle. Also, the costs of trying your case can be substantial. (top)
Collision
Collision coverage pays when your own vehicle is damaged in an accident.
Generally, the coverage reimburses you the amount to repair or replace
your damaged vehicle, minus the agreed-on deductible. It is usually the
most expensive coverage in your auto policy. (top)
Comprehensive
Comprehensive pays for damages to your car caused by an incident other
than a collision with another car or object. You're covered for fire,
theft, riots, collisions with animals, storms, falling objects,
earthquakes, floods and other natural occurrences. Often, comprehensive
insurance includes a daily rental provision that pays a certain amount
toward a rental car in conjunction with a theft claim. Like collision,
comprehensive coverage generally includes a deductible. (top)
Deductible
The deductible is the amount of the loss you agree to pay or absorb in the
event of an accident. With auto insurance, deductible amounts typically
range from $50 to $1,000 per claim. That means you absorb the deductible
amount every time you make a claim. Choosing a higher deductible reduces
the cost of your insurance. (top)
Bodily
Injury
This coverage pays, subject to policy limits and conditions, all sums
which you are legally obligated to pay for any person(s) injured or killed
in an accident where you are at fault. Coverage includes medical expenses
and lost wages. (top)
Property
Damage
Property Damage is liability coverage for damage to another's personal
property, such as an automobile, house or fence, in a collision where you
are at fault. (top)
Medical
Payments
This coverage handles medical bills and funeral expenses for you or a
passenger injured while riding in your vehicle. Coverage extends to you or
a family member when riding as a passenger in someone else's vehicle or
when struck by a vehicle when on foot. Costs are covered up to the amount
specified by the policy. (top)
Personal
Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal injury coverage pays a broader range of medical costs than does
Medical Payments coverage. Coverage includes provisions for lost wages and
the replacement of the services of someone injured in an accident.
Personal Injury coverage is generally required in states with No-Fault and
available in some other states.
Uninsured
Motorist/Underinsured Motorist
Uninsured Motorist covers you in an accident with a motorist who has no
insurance or is underinsured. In some states or insurance policies,
Underinsured Motorist protection is usually separate from Uninsured
Motorist coverage. Uninsured Motorist protection also covers you if
you're injured by a hit-and-run driver. Coverage includes payment of
medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering. It is required in many
states. (top)
Mechanical
Breakdown Insurance
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance covers the cost of parts and labor to
repair or replace major component parts, as well as wear-and-tear failures
of covered parts. If you require a rental vehicle while your car is being
repaired, you may be reimbursed up to $25 per day for a maximum of six
days. You may also be reimbursed for food and lodging up to $100 per day
for three days per repair visit, if your vehicle breaks down more than 100
miles from home. (top) |
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