Auto Insurance

For many, buying car insurance is one of the first “grown up” transactions that you’ll have to get through. Everyone loves getting their first car, but then the subject of auto insurance comes up. Forty-seven of the fifty states require drivers to have an auto insurance policy, so car insurance is definitely a fact of life. As you’ll see from reading through our customer reviews, some auto insurance companies are definitely better than others. Many readers complain about disputed claims, late payments and skimpy coverage. There are several factors that will influence what kind of an auto insurance policy you choose. Your driving record and the type of car you drive will influence your starting premium. If this is your first car, even your school grades can affect the premium. The major types of auto insurance are: liability insurance, collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, medical coverage, personal injury protection, uninsured motorist protection, underinsured motorist protection and rental reimbursement. Liability is the most common. This takes care of the other party in a collision, and covers their medical and property expenses. Many states have laws stating the amount of liability insurance that a motorist must have. Liability insurance also covers any court costs that you incur. Collision insurance is also very common, and this pays for damage to your vehicle, whether colliding with another vehicle or a stationary object. Comprehensive insurance covers any damage to your vehicle that does not occur during an accident, such as theft. This is common for more expensive vehicles. Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance is also legally required in some states, and covers any injury to you the driver caused during an accident. And that’s just the very basics! Feel free to ask questions in our auto insurance forums, since other Reviewfinder readers may be happy to answer you!