Auto Liability Insurance

Even the safest drivers can end up in an accident. Whether you are at fault or not, you will always want adequate insurance to cover all your bases. Liability car insurance coverage is about more than just repairing your vehicle, and some degree of coverage is mandatory in almost every state. Understanding some of the basics about auto insurance can help you determine which and what coverages suit your particular needs.

Why you need auto insurance?

In all but three states, some degree of auto insurance is mandated by law. This is essentially to guarantee financial protection in the event you, or someone driving your car, injures someone or damages another person’s property.

In most cases, however, the state requires only a basic minimum level of coverage. These minimum requirements may not sufficiently cover all the costs associated with a serious accident and, in some cases, may not even cover damages to your own property. So while the law requires that you maintain coverage to pay for repairs and medical bills of other parties, you may also want to opt for the protection of your own vehicles and passengers. In most cases, if you are still making payments on a vehicle, the lender will require this type of coverage.

What are the types of auto liability insurance coverage?

While states have different requirements for auto policies, a few are fairly standard and should be carried even in the event they are not legally mandated. These types of protections typically satisfy liability for the at-fault driver. The following types of coverage are always or usually required in most states:

Bodily injury liability – This will cover (to the limits assigned in the policy) costs associated with injuries or deaths caused by you or someone driving your car.
Property damage liability – Reimburses the other party (or parties) for physical damages their property incurs. Property damage liability is not restricted to another vehicle but can apply to such property as a fence, building, or signage.
Medical or Personal injury protection – Commonly known as PIP, this coverage is similar to bodily injury liability but extends to medical expenses incurred by you or the passengers of your own vehicle. In most cases, it also provides reimbursement for lost wages and related expenses.
Uninsured motorist – Unfortunately, not everyone follows the law when it comes to minimum insurance requirements. In such cases, uninsured motorist coverage means you are not left out to dry. This type of policy covers your costs when the at-fault driver lacks any or sufficient coverage. It also typically applies in the case of a hit-and-run.

The above policies are designed to cover damages incurred by others when you or someone driving your vehicle causes the accident. However, it is important to understand that they do not cover damages to your own property. Additional coverage options exist to provide these protections.

Collision insurance – This coverage reimburses you for damage to your vehicle as the result of an accident involving another vehicle or object, such as a pole, tree, or fence, or in the case of a single-car accident.
Comprehensive coverage – This policy covers incidents not caused by a collision but by other means, such as flood, hail, vandalism, fire, or other natural or man-made disasters.

What is covered with auto liability insurance?

We aim to cover non-commercial drivers of all types, including but not limited to the following vehicles:

Private Passenger Vehicles (including vans and trucks weighing less than 10,000 lbs.)
Utility Trailers
Recreational Trailers and Campers
Golf Carts and Other Low-speed Vehicles
Customized Vehicles
Classic Autos (less than 25 years old)
Antique Autos (more than 25 years old)
Motor Homes
Motorcycles, Mopeds, Motorscooters, Motorbikes, Go-karts, and Similar Vehicles
Snowmobiles
ATVs and UTVs
Dune Buggies

(Insurance protection may also be available for other types of vehicles. Contact us to determine the right coverage for your specific needs.)

What are the available discounts?

For more information on products and coverage, contact your local field agent.

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Personal, life, disability, and annuity products are written through PMC Advantage Insurance Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company.