While different states have different mandates for auto insurance, most basic car policies consist of six types of coverage. Here's what you need to know about each.
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.
Note that each type of coverage is priced separately, so there is variability in policy limits and pricing.
Bodily injury liability
Bodily injury liability coverage applies to injuries that you, the designated driver or policyholder, cause to someone else. You and family members listed on the policy are also covered when driving someone else’s car with their permission.
It’s very important to have enough liability insurance, because if you are involved in a serious accident, you may be sued for a large sum of money. It's recommended that policyholders buy more than the state-required minimum liability insurance, enough to protect assets such as your home and savings.
Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP)
This coverage pays for the treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the policyholder's car. At its broadest, PIP can cover medical payments, lost wages and the cost of replacing services normally performed by someone injured in an auto accident. It may also cover funeral costs.
Property damage liability
This coverage pays for damage you (or someone driving the car with your permission) may cause to someone else's property. Usually, this means damage to someone else’s car, but it also includes damage to lamp posts, telephone poles, fences, buildings or other structures your car hit.
Collision
Collision coverage pays for damage to your car resulting from a collision with another car, an object, such as a tree or telephone pole, or as a result of flipping over (note that collisions with deer are covered under comprehensive). It also covers damage caused by potholes.
Collision coverage is generally sold with a separate deductible. Even if you are at fault for the accident, your collision coverage will reimburse you for the costs of repairing your car, minus the deductible. If you're not at fault, your insurance company may try to recover the amount they paid you from the other driver’s insurance company and, if they are successful, you'll also be reimbursed for the deductible.
Comprehensive
This coverage reimburses you for loss due to theft or damage caused by something other than a collision with another car or object. Comprehensive covers events such as fire, falling objects, missiles, explosion, earthquake, windstorm, hail, flood, vandalism, riot, or contact with animals such as birds or deer. It will also pay to repair your windshield if it is cracked or shattered.
Comprehensive insurance is usually sold with a separate deductible, although some insurers may offer the glass portion of the coverage without a deductible.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Underinsured motorist coverage reimburses you, a member of your family, or a designated driver if one of you is hit by an uninsured driver or a driver who doesn’t have sufficient insurance to pay for your total loss. This coverage also offers protection in the event a covered driver is the victim of a hit-and-run or if, as a pedestrian, you are struck by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
Next steps: Shopping for auto insurance? Here's how to find the right policy for you and your car.
FAQs
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 does a basic car insurance policy include? ›
However, most basic car insurance includes liability protection. In fact, most states require a certain limit for these policies. They may also want you to have uninsured/underinsured protection and comprehensive coverage. To make sure you get full protection, you'll want to talk with your insurance provider.
What does basic coverage mean in insurance? ›
A basic car insurance policy has the minimum coverage that's legally required in your state. This usually means having a liability policy to pay for the other driver's car repairs or medical bills, when you caused the accident. It may also include personal injury protection (PIP) if it's required where you live.
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 does medical coverage on an auto insurance policy cover answers? ›
Medical payments coverage can help with medical expenses associated with an auto accident — for you, your passengers and any family members driving the insured vehicle at the time of the accident — no matter who is at fault. It typically covers doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, X-rays and other medical bills.
What are the basic features of an automobile insurance policy? ›
Understanding auto insurance—the basics
Auto insurance provides coverage for: Property – such as damage to or theft of your car. Liability – your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage. Medical – the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses.
What is the difference between full coverage and basic car insurance? ›
What Is the Difference Between Liability and Full Coverage? Liability car insurance only covers damages to other vehicles or injuries to other people when you're driving. Full coverage insurance includes liability coverage along with other types of insurance to protect not only others, but also yourself on the road.
What does basic cover mean? ›
Basic coverage is a “Named Peril” policy, which means that for a loss to be covered, the peril must be listed by name on the declarations page. In addition, you carry the burden of proving that a loss was caused by an included peril. Basic Form is typically the cheapest of the three coverage options.
What is a basic form of coverage? ›
Basic Form
It typically covers damage or loss caused by specific perils, such as fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, explosion, and vandalism. This type of coverage is sometimes called “named perils coverage” because it only covers the perils named explicitly in the policy.
What does basic contents insurance cover? ›
What is home contents insurance. Home contents insurance covers you against loss, theft or damage to your personal and home possessions. It can also cover you if you take items out of the home, on holiday, for example. The insurance covers your own possessions and those of close family members living with you.
In almost every state, drivers are only required to carry liability insurance. Basic car insurance is often known as liability insurance. Requirements vary by state, but basic auto insurance can be broken down into two main types of liability insurance: personal injury and property damage.
What is the cheapest category for car insurance? ›
So it's important to understand insurance groups – after all, there are 50 of them in total. Cars in group 1 are the least risky from an underwriter's perspective and the cheapest to insure. Those in group 50 are the riskiest and most expensive – usually higher performance models and luxury SUVs.
What is the lowest form of car insurance? ›
Liability insurance is generally the cheapest car insurance coverage because it only covers the cost of bodily injuries and property damages for another party if you're at fault for an accident. It doesn't cover damages to your vehicle or costs associated with your injuries.
What does an auto insurance policy generally cover? ›
What is car insurance? Car insurance covers damage to your vehicle and protects you financially if you're liable for someone else's injuries or damages. Auto insurance can also pay for medical bills if you or your passengers are injured in an accident or if you're hit by a driver who is uninsured or underinsured.
What are the three basic coverages for medical insurance? ›
Basic insurance includes hospital, surgical, and physicians' expense coverage. In addition, major medical coverage is necessary in case of a catastrophic accident or illness. These may be purchased separately, but you will generally get more complete coverage if they are combined in a single policy.
What are three items that medical insurance does not typically cover? ›
Key Takeaways
- Health insurance typically covers most doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, wellness care, and medical devices.
- Most health insurance will not cover elective or cosmetic procedures, beauty treatments, off-label drug use, or brand-new technologies.
If you hit another car or a stationary object like a telephone pole (or if you roll over), you'll be covered by collision insurance. If an animal or a non-stationary object such as a falling tree hits your car or it's damaged by vandalism, fire or a natural disaster, you'll be covered by comprehensive insurance.
What are the 3 typical requirements in an insurance policy? ›
The Conditions
Common conditions in a policy include the requirement to file a proof of loss with the company, to protect property after a loss, and to cooperate during the company's investigation or defense of a liability lawsuit.
How much is the most basic car insurance? ›
The national average cost of full-coverage car insurance is $2,681 per year while minimum-liability coverage averages $869 per year.
How does insurance work basic? ›
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.
