Standard Auto Insurance: What It is, How It Works (2024)

What Is Standard Auto Insurance?

Standard auto insurance is the auto insurance offered to average-risk drivers. With only a few blemishes on their driving, insurance, or credit histories, drivers usually qualify for standard auto insurance coverage.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard auto insurance offers coverage to average-risk drivers who are neither high-risk nor very low-risk.
  • The insurer considers such information as driving record, accident history, vehicle type, car usage, credit history, and location when determining whether to offer coverage.
  • The information helps the company estimate the likelihood of the driver getting into an accident, filing a claim, and costing the insurer money through a higher-than-average claim rate.
  • If you don't qualify for standard auto insurance, there are alternatives.

How Standard Auto Insurance Works

Although drivers are required in most states to carry auto insurance, auto insurance companies are not required to cover you as a driver. Accurately estimating the risk in underwriting a new policy is crucial for an insurer, as it can make or break the company's profitability.

If the company prices the insurance policy correctly while understanding the claim risk, the company may be profitable. The insurance premiums paid by drivers will exceed the benefits paid.

But if the insurer does not recognize the risks, the company can lose money. The insurance company may wind up paying out more benefits than it receives in premiums.

Insurance companies pay close attention to individuals and businesses when determining whether to underwrite a new policy. Insurance companies review various aspects of your driving history and auto before offering coverage to you with a standard auto insurance policy. These include:

  • Insurance history: How long you've had auto insurance in the United States, any claims made, and lapses in coverage.
  • Driving history: Any accidents, DUIs, tickets or moving violations, or other indicators of taking risks while driving.
  • Credit history: Some states permit insurers to review your credit history.
  • Auto make and model: Some antique, high-performance or very high-value cars may not fit the standard auto insurance policy

The company then compares these driver characteristics with actuarial information. The insurer can determine the likelihood of you getting into an accident or filing a claim. Based on the information above, insurers may break different applicants into the following rating groups:

  • Preferred: Few to no accidents, excellent driving, insurance, and credit history with the lowest premiums charged.
  • Standard: A few blemishes on your driving, credit, or insurance record and not difficult to insure.
  • Non-standard: This driver may not qualify for most auto insurance policies due to age, driving history, convictions, or payment history.

New Hampshire does not require motorists to buy insurance, though they must be able to demonstrate they have the financial resources to pay an injured party in the event of an accident. In Virginia, uninsured motorists must pay $500 to the DMV and drive at their own risk.

How to Qualify for Standard Auto Insurance

Standard auto insurance takes into account a driver’s characteristics. Actuarial information compiled from similar drivers’ records determines the premium charged.

While a standard automobile insurance policy's qualifications may vary, requirements often include:

  • Maintaining a clean driving record
  • Many years of consistent auto coverage
  • A history of limited or no filed claims
  • Good credit
  • A contemporary car with safety features

If you don't qualify for standard auto insurance now, you may in the future as time passes since your last auto accident or claim, if you buy a safer car, or add more years to your insurance history.

Standard Auto Insurance vs. Non-Standard Auto Insurance

Most auto insurance is standard, but around 40% of new policies are non-standard. Small specialty providers and larger companies offer these policies. They may cover drivers with a claims record with many accidents, serious traffic violations, or a history of unpaid premiums. For example, you may only be able to get an SR-22 with a non-standard car insurance policy, not a standard auto insurance policy.

Non-standard auto policies can also cover unusual driving histories (a newly arrived immigrant to the U.S. without a driving, credit, or insurance history) or unusual vehicles (high-performance, limited edition sports car) that don't conform to typical risk expectations.

Non-standard auto insurance premiums are usually higher than standard auto insurance premiums. But a non-standard plan is likely your best bet if you don't qualify for standard auto insurance. Your other option is your state's assigned risk plan.

What is the Difference Between Standard and Non-standard Insurance?

Drivers who do not qualify for standard auto insurance at a major carrier may be eligible for a non-standard insurance policy. These special policies are aimed at drivers with low credit, poor driving records, or who are otherwise considered too high-risk for a standard auto insurance policy. Non-standard policies tend to have much higher premiums and deductibles than standard policies. As such, they should only be considered as a last resort for drivers who are otherwise unable to obtain coverage

What is the Difference Between a Standard and Non-Standard Insurance Company?

Non-standard auto insurance companies primarily offer coverage to drivers who don't qualify for standard auto insurance policies. Several insurers specialize in this market, but some major insurers also offer non-standard policies and standard insurance. To compensate for the extra risk, the insurance company will likely charge a driver higher premiums for coverage.

What Is the Most Common Car Insurance Coverage?

The most common type of car insurance coverage in the United States is liability coverage. This is because almost every state requires liability insurance to drive a car. Other policies, such as collision, are optional.

The Bottom Line

Standard auto insurance provides affordable, consistent coverage for drivers with an average risk profile. Maintaining a strong history of insurance coverage, safe driving, and good credit can help you qualify for standard auto insurance. If you don't qualify for standard auto insurance, you'll need to shop around for non-standard plans or for an assigned risk plan.

Standard Auto Insurance: What It is, How It Works (2024)

FAQs

Standard Auto Insurance: What It is, How It Works? ›

Car insurance helps protect you from car accident costs. You pay for specific coverages, and if you get in an accident, your insurer can pay your covered costs. Voice Over: Coverages typically include liability, which covers the injuries and damage you cause to others.

What is a standard car insurance policy? ›

A Standard Policy usually provides minimum liability coverage (which will protect your assets) and uninsured motorist limits of $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 for property damage. However, these numbers can be adjusted according to your personal needs.

How do you answer insurance claim questions? ›

Think deeply about the exact question the agent asked, and only provide that specific information. Never admit to fault. Never admit to even being partially at fault. Never admit that you are uninjured.

What is insurance how it works? ›

Insurance is a contract between an individual or business with an insurance company to help provide financial protection and mitigate the risks associated with certain situations or events. There are various types of insurance available, including health, dental and vision, life, auto, and legal insurance.

What is the meaning of standard cover insurance? ›

Standard policies are good options for people seeking insurance for basic risks as opposed to highly unusual risks. Standard policies typically do not cover unusual risks. For example, a standard property insurance policy may cover normal property risks, such as roof leaks, but not damage from explosions or riots.

What does a standard insurance policy cover? ›

While different states mandate different types of insurance and there are several additional options (such as gap insurance) available, most basic auto policies consist of: bodily injury liability, personal injury protection, property damage liability, collision, comprehensive and uninsured/underinsured motorist.

What is standard in insurance? ›

A standard insurance policy provides conventional coverage for drivers considered low-risk by insurance companies.

How does insurance work for beginners? ›

Insurance is a way to protect yourself from financial risks by paying a company a small amount of money, called a premium. If something bad happens, like a car accident or a house fire, the insurance company helps cover the costs so you don't have to pay for everything yourself.

What is the definition of insurance in simple words? ›

Insurance is a legal agreement between two parties – the insurer and the insured, also known as insurance coverage or insurance policy. The insurer provides financial coverage for the losses of the insured that s/he may bear under certain circ*mstances.

How does insurance works in us? ›

Each month, you make a payment to a health insurer, such as Medicare or your insurance company. Some employers chip in for this payment. In return, your insurer covers all or some of your medical costs, as long as you follow the insurer's rules.

What is standard policy? ›

: an insurance policy prescribed by statute or otherwise adopted generally by all insurers.

What is part of standard insurance policy document? ›

Policy schedule forms first part of a standard insurance policy document. The standard policy document typically has three parts which are the policy schedule, standard provisions and the policy's specific provisions.

What is standard line insurance? ›

Standard Insurance. Regular insurance carriers, also called standard or admitted carriers, must follow state regulations concerning how much they can charge and what risks they can and cannot cover. Surplus lines carriers do not have to follow these regulations, which allows them to take on higher risks.

What is a standard vs full car? ›

A full-size car is larger and more spacious than a standard car. It is also known as a flagship model. Full size cars are meant to provide increased passenger comfort, interior space, and often feature more powerful engines. They are typically higher-end vehicles and offer a range of luxury and advanced features.

What is the most basic type of vehicle insurance coverage? ›

1. Liability coverage. Auto liability coverage is mandatory in most states. Drivers are legally required to purchase at least the minimum amount of liability coverage set by state law.

What is standard vs nonstandard insurance? ›

Nonstandard car insurance covers higher-risk drivers who may no longer qualify for standard coverage. The biggest differences between standard vs. nonstandard auto insurance are cost and choice. Nonstandard car insurance is typically more expensive and not all insurance companies offer it.

What is a standard liability insurance policy? ›

Liability insurance provides protection against claims resulting from injuries and damage to people and/or property. Liability insurance covers legal costs and payouts for which the insured party would be found liable. Provisions not covered include Intentional damage, contractual liabilities, and criminal prosecution.

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