Types Of Auto Insurance
Friday, October 30, 2009
The main function of insurance is to provide protection to insured things against uncertainties. Insurance cover can be thought of as a guaranteed and known small loss to prevent a large, possibly devastating loss. Insurance comes under risk management, to foresee the future and the risk involved and take steps to prevent mass damage. Any property or precious holding can be insured.
One such is Auto Insurance also known as vehicle insurance, car insurance, or motor insurance, in which you can insure your vehicle against any losses incurred as a result of traffic accidents and against liability that could be incurred in an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy.
In many jurisdictions it is compulsory to have vehicle insurance before using or keeping a motor vehicle on public roads. Most jurisdictions relate insurance to both the car and the driver, however the degree of each varies greatly.
An auto insurance policy comprises six kinds of coverage. Most countries require you to buy some, but not all, of these coverages. If you're financing a car, your lender may also have requirements. Most auto policies are for six months to a year.
Six kinds of coverages that falls under an auto insurance policy are:
1) Bodily Injury Liability ---> Covers other people's bodily injuries or death for which you are responsible. It also provides for a legal defense if another party in the accident files a lawsuit against you.
2) Personal Injury Protection (PIP) --> If the passengers and driver of the policy holder's car happen to be injured, this policy covers the cost of treatment and may also cover lost wages, cost of replacing services and funeral costs.
3) Liability for Property Damage --> If you or someone driving your car with your permission damages another person's property, this policy provides coverage. It also covers damage to lamp posts, telephone poles or any other structure hit by your car.
4) Collision coverage --> This policy provides coverage for damage to your (policy holder) car as a result of collision with another automobile or any other object. There is generally a deductible. Even if you are at fault in an accident, this policy will cover the repairing cost of your car minus the deductible. If you are not at fault, then your insurance provider will try to recover the cost from the faulty driver's insurance company. To keep your premiums low, select as large a deductible as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. For older cars, consider dropping this coverage, since coverage is normally limited to the cash value of your car.
5) Comprehensive Coverage --> Covers your vehicle, and other vehicles (in limited scenarios) you may be driving for losses resulting from incidents other than collision. For example, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car if it is stolen; or damaged by flood, fire, or animals. It pays to fix your vehicle less the deductible you choose. To keep your premiums low, select as high a deductible as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. This policy is also available with a certain amount of deductible.
6) Uninsured/Under-insured Motorist Coverage --> If an uninsured or under insured or a hit-and-run driver hits you or your family member, this policy will reimburse the cost of damage. This usually happens when people go for cheap motor insurance. You will also be protected if you are hit as a pedestrian.
You may think that since you don't own a car you do not need insurance. In many cases this may be true. If you rent a car and it meets with an accident, who will provide coverage? This is when you need non-owners car insurance. This insurance is ideal for those who drive occasionally and don't own a car.
