Having minimum car insurance is a legal requirement for almost all US states, and from the moment you drive a new car out from the showroom, you must have the insurance cover in force. You can contact Ieuter Insurance Group or even ask some reliable insurance agent you might know to buy car insurance. The exercise might appear overwhelming for first-timers, but it is neither easy for those who have gone through it several times.
Before you start shopping for car insurance, determine the minimum requirements of your state and your financial situation, which determines your affordability and hence the extent of coverage that you can seek. All these will help you in making a proper selection.
Here is a rundown of the process of buying car insurance.
Manner of buying
Since you can buy car insurance directly from an insurance company or its agent, first decide the approach you are comfortable with. While the agent might provide some doorstep service that makes you comfortable, negotiating directly with the insurance company can help to get some extra benefits.
The extent of coverage and insurance types
Car insurance policies offer a wide range of coverage from liability coverage, personal injury coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage, and gap insurance. Knowing the implications of each type of insurance policy will help you understand whether you need that type of coverage. For example, while the liability coverage is mandatory, the other types of coverage are optional and depend on your risk perception. Moreover, some additional coverage like roadside assistance covering the cost of towing, jump start, and flat tire changes are also available.
- Liability insurance protects you financially when you need to pay some third party for damages.
- Personal injury protection provides medical expenses for you and the passengers in the car during an accident.
- Collision coverage includes the cost of damage to your vehicle regardless of whose fault it was.
- Underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage pays for the cost of damages suffered by you during an accident due to a driver who might not have any insurance, or the insurance is not sufficient to cover the cost of damages.
- Comprehensive insurance provides cover for any damage to your car while parked, like damage from extreme weather conditions like storm and flood, fire, and other natural calamities like earthquake, tsunami, etc., as well as theft and vandalism.
Consider the premium and discounts
After deciding the level of coverage that you need, ask for a quote from the insurance company or the agent. Besides considering the final premium, focus on the discounts offered because different insurance companies provide various discounts. For example, discounts are available for installing an anti-theft device in your car as well as the driving pattern and car usage. Your driving record can also qualify you for discounts because safe driving reduces the risks.
Lower are the risks perceived by the insurance company; higher will be the discounts.
