Thursday, September 10, 2009

Why Auto Insurance Is A Must

By Ricardo Jibero

Most people who own a vehicle know the importance of having auto insurance coverage. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the importance of having sufficient coverage. The average driver will choose the bare minimum of coverage that is set by state law. The problem with minimum coverage is that it doesn't always cover all the expenses incurred from an automobile accident.

If you and another car are involved in an automobile accident and both of you are injured and you don't carry sufficient coverage, you could be held financially liable for any costs incurred in the accident. Medical bills as well as any emergency medical assistance can be very expensive. Someone will need to cover those costs. Ultimately you could be sued for payment and forced into bankruptcy if your coverage isn't adequate.

You may also be involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. If your policy doesn't have specific coverage for uninsured drivers, again you can be held personally responsible for any expenses that may result from the accident.

Not all insurance policies protect against theft or fire. If your car is stolen and your insurance doesn't provide coverage, you will find yourself without a car and your insurance will not reimburse you for your loss.

Believe it or not, your policy may not cover your own car for damages if you choose the minimum coverage. If you want your own vehicle covered you need to be sure that you have the proper insurance so you don't find yourself paying for damages incurred to your car in an auto accident

There is also separate coverage to cover your car from damages incurred by vandalism or natural means. If a tree was to fall on your car in a wind storm and you didn't carry the right insurance, you would have to pay for all the repairs.

Most state minimums cover expenses for bodily harm to the driver, passenger and for expenses for damages to other personal property. If you don't want to be held accountable for expenses beyond the minimum then you need to be sure you speak with your insurance adviser about what coverage options are right for you. They can then provide you with auto insurance quotes from a few different companies so that you get the right coverage at a price you can afford.