As much as we're trying to move towards more sustainable uses forms of transportation, taking care of your car and yourself shouldn't take a backseat. And even if you're a Sunday Driver or your own personal Evil Knievel, it doesn't hurt to have some coverage. You never know what the future may bring. So if you've been thinking about securing car insurance, make sure that you know the following things before you get into the room and sign those papers....
Read more …As much as we're trying to move towards more sustainable uses forms of transportation, taking care of your car and yourself shouldn't take a backseat. And even if you're a Sunday Driver or your own personal Evil Knievel, it doesn't hurt to have some coverage. You never know what the future may bring. So if you've been thinking about securing car insurance, make sure that you know the following things before you get into the room and sign those papers.
First, make sure that you understand the value of your car. If it so happens that its value is less than $2,000 then perhaps you may not need the collision insurance (what pays for your damages if you're involved in an accident with another car or other object) or the comprehensive insurance (which pays for any loss or damage outside of a car accident). Though if you've got a gas and dollar guzzler, then you can probably afford to pay the extra protection and it will save you from future headaches.
Second, read your state laws. Depending on which state you're in, Liability Insurance and Personal Injury Protection are mandated by law so make sure first that you meet the minimum requirements of the state law. Though it's usually recommended to purchase a little more for your car insurance policy. Better to be overprepared than be caught lacking.
Third, know what's available in terms of car insurance. Ask people who own a similar car about their policies, you might get hints about lower premiums too so you can compare across insurance companies. Also make sure you know what you already have, double coverage doesn't mean double protection! It means double the premiums!
Fourth, it'll be key to know what your personal needs are along with what you can afford if you're involved in an accident. Try to make sure that if something unfortunate happens, your insurance will cover the costs.
Fifth, be knowledgeable about other types of insurance available. Your health insurance or even your homeowners insurance may be able to pay for damages incurred in an accident. Though it's better to be safe than sorry, you shouldn't be forking out money just because yo u didn't know better.
Insurance, no matter how boring (all that paperwork!), is basically a gamble. Using math and figures, actuaries try to determine the risks and benefits of financial decisions so keep that in mind when you're trying to decide how much you're willing to pay. Because the more you expect insurance to cover you, the higher your premiums will turn out to be.
So are you all set to purchase your auto insurance policy? What do you think? Share your auto insurance stories in the comments section below.
