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How can I get
a quote for auto insurance? |
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We have a free rate quoting service on our
site. You'll receive an instant auto insurance quotes from numerous carriers. |
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Do I
need to purchase insurance before I buy a new car? |
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If this is your first car, yes, you'll have to buy auto insurance before
you drive your shiny new car off the dealer's lot. However, if you already have an auto
policy, that will generally cover your new automobile for a period of up to 30 days after
you buy it. Once that 30-day period is up, you'll have to talk with your insurance company
to insure that new vehicle. |
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I've just been in
an accident. How will the insurer issue the check to repair my car? |
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It depends on whether or not you're in a first-party or third-party claim
situation. In a first-party situation, your insurer will likely make the check out to you and
the body shop. In a third-party situation, it's likely that the at-fault party's insurer
will make the check payable to you alone. A first-party situation is when you make a
claim with your insurer. A third-party situation is when you make a claim with
another party's insurer. |
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What can
I do to protect myself against uninsured drivers? |
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Purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can protect
you against uninsured drivers. In many states, UM coverage is required by law. UM
coverage will pay for medical bills and pain and suffering if you are hit by an uninsured
driver. In some states, UM property-damage coverage is available. If your car is crunched
by an uninsured driver and you have UM property-damage coverage, you'll be able to get
your car fixed under this coverage, rather than using your collision coverage.
Generally speaking, UM property-damage coverage carries a lower deductible than
collision coverage. |
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Which coverages
pay for damages to my vehicle? |
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Depending on what kind of damage your car suffers, one of your physical
damage coverages — comprehensive or collision insurance — will pay for the
damages. If your car is hit by a deer or other animal, stolen, catches on fire, or is
vandalized, your comprehensive coverage will kick in. If you crash into something and
crunch your car, your collision coverage will kick in.
Both of these coverages are optional and, of course, adding them to your policy will
raise your insurance premium. |
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Do states
require drivers to buy liability insurance? |
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Most states mandate all drivers provide proof of financial responsibility
at registration time or after an accident. Essentially, that's proof that you can pay for
an accident. You can do this one of two ways: Post a bond for between $10,000 and $50,000,
or buy auto-liability insurance. Most people choose the latter because they don't have
thousands in cash lying around. Mississippi, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin
are the only states that don't require drivers to provide proof of financial
responsibility at any time. |
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My teenager just
got a driver's license and the insurance rates are through the roof. Do I have to add
him/her to my policy? Do I have any other options? |
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It usually makes good financial sense to add your teen as a driver to your
existing policy, but only after he or she gets a permanent license. In addition, if you're
driving an expensive car, it might make more financial sense to buy your teen a safe,
older vehicle and get him or her a policy of his or her own. |
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What is an SR-22? |
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SR-22 is a form that shows that you have auto insurance. It is required by
the state for drivers who are high risk. Here are some of the reasons a state might
require you to file an SR-22 form:
- DUI (drunk driving)
- serious moving violations such as reckless driving
- racking up a lot of highway points in a short period of time
- being pegged as a habitual traffic offender
- causing an accident while uninsured.
Regulations vary from state to state, but high-risk drivers usually have to carry SR-22
insurance for three years. To find out more about regulations specific to your state,
choose your state from the pull-down menu above.
More insurance companies are now willing to sell policies to drivers who have SR-22
status; however, those policies are going to be more costly than a standard auto policy. |
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Can I demand OEM
parts in the repair of my vehicle? |
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Yes, you can always request original equipment manufacturer parts after
you've had an accident. Currently, however, some insurance companies might make you pay
extra for OEM parts. |
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Do I have to use my
insurer's body shop for repairs? |
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That depends on your policy. Sometimes, you and the insurance company
agree on a predetermined course of action after you're involved in an accident. That often
includes the use of an insurance company-chosen auto-repair facility. If your policy
does not have such a stipulation, so you can then choose the body shop that repairs your
vehicle. |
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I'm moving to
another state temporarily. Do I need to purchase coverage in that state? |
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If you are moving for more than six months, the proper procedure is to
purchase coverage in your new state. That way, you can avoid any potential questionable
coverage issues. Keep in mind, however, that your current insurance policy says you are
covered in all 50 states. |
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What should I
do if I just had an auto accident? |
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You should inform your insurance company right away. Make sure you've
gotten a copy of the police report and the other party's (or parties') insurance
information. Remember, just because you inform your insurer of an accident doesn't mean
you're making a claim. |
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