(For Commercial Auto, See Business Insurances Page!)
PERSONAL LINES AUTO INSURANCE:
The following is not a "detailed" part of any insurance policy. For all details of your protection, refer to your insurance policy. Your insurance policy will spell out your coverages, limits, limitations, exclusions, etc. Your policy supersedes anything on this website page at all times and in all situations.
BIPD (Liability): BIPD = Bodily Injury & Property Damage.
In a "covered situation" where you are deemed negligent & liable, BIPD (Liability) coverage compensates persons who were injured or suffered property damage because of the ownership, maintenance, or use of your insured auto, up to a limit that you select.
If you or loved ones get hit & seriously injured by someone else, and they are at fault, you never want to hear the words: "Sorry, we don't have any insurance" Or, "Our insurance is state minimum" Those statements, coupled with the high percentage of drivers on the road who have little or now income or assets to pursue, could leave you or your loved ones high and dry without much recourse in many potential accident situations.
If the above situation were reversed, and you caused the injuries, you don't want to be that person either! If you seriously injure a child (for example), in another car, you don't to have to say either of those two statements above to the parents !
SIMPLY STATED: If anyone ever gets seriously injured in a car accident by another driver, we all hope they have enough insurance to take care of us!! $100,000? $500,000? One Million? The more the better if you or loved ones are seriously injured, maybe disabled!
GOAL #1 REGARDING LIABILITY INSURANCE:
When it comes to LIABILITY insurance, the goal is to maintain enough insurance to take care of others if you injure them. As we all know, it is highly likely that Injury Attorneys will be involved. You really want to make sure you have the proper insurance in place to take care of those you hit! For their sake, and for yours too.
But what is enough? What limits should you get?
As far as "limits" go, there is no answer here unfortunately. You could get $250,000" in coverage then cause $500,000 in damages! You could get $1,000,000 and then cause a $2,000,000 serious serious accident with multiple injuries. You will have to weigh the costs vs. your budget. And be sure to read about UMBRELLA Insurance too!
A Million Dollar Umbrella may only cost $30, $40 or $50 dollars per month in many cases.
And of course, don't forget, if you hurt others and you do not have enough liability insurance to handle the problems you caused, the injured party and their attorney can take steps to pursue your assets, savings, home equity and more. If you don't have much to pursue, they can seek to garnish a percentage of your future wages in a court of law. You could very well be deemed financially responsible!
UMBI Protection: (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury:
Well, you got hit. You and/or family members are injured, maybe seriously. And the at-fault person who hit you is uninsured! (or has state minimums). A more common scenario than it should be unfortunately. Answer: Whatever Liability Limits you chose to "protect the people you may hit and hurt", .. get the same limits in UMBI for you and your family".
$500,000 in BIPD liability? Get $500,000 in UMBI protection. (it's very cost effective and can usually be paid for by accepting a tad higher deductible)
Medical: This coverage pays reasonable and necessary medical bills and funeral expenses incurred within two years of an accident, up to a limit you select, for you or a passenger injured while riding in your vehicle. Coverage also extends to you or a family member when riding as a passenger in someone else's vehicle or when struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian.
Comprehensive & Collision (material damage): Comprehensive coverage compensates you for damage to your vehicle from fire, theft, falling objects, riots, storms, earthquakes, floods, collision with a bird or animal and other natural occurrences. Collision coverage compensates you for damage to your vehicle that results from a collision with another vehicle or object.
Collision Plus / Loss of Use: This is designed to assist you with some expenses you may incur following a loss in excess of the deductible arising under Collision and/or Comprehensive loss.
Towing / Road Service: When you or your loved ones are stranded because your car will not operate and you need help, we're as close as the telephone. You can reach us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with just one toll-free call. And with our sign-and-drive feature in many of our coverages, you may not need a credit card or check to get the help you need.
Gap Insurance? (Residual Debt): We recommend GAP insurance on all vehicles when little or no down payment is made on the purchase and you will have a gap between the vehicles fair market value and what you owe the lienholder or lessor. If you bought GAP insurance from the dealer, that is Okay. If you did not buy it from the dealer, let us know and we can easily add it to your policy when you call in to add the vehicle.; it cannot be added later!
IN SUMMARY:
(Never drive without a good insurance policy in place and with limits to your liking!)
It is illegal to drive without insurance. In the wrong situation, as an uninsured driver, you could have your license suspended and even spend some time in jail. The escape of filing bankruptcy in a bad accident liability situation is not a good protection planning strategy and can mess up ones financial future is so many ways. You also don't want your assets pursued, or if you have no assets, your future wages potentially garnished to help settle your liability. If you are "responsible", and have a good career ahead of you, with the prospects of being financially upwardly mobile, .... get insured! (and with the proper limits you choose for protection!)
For other coverage options and/or explanations, ask for our "POM". (Protection Options Menu, ... or "Contact Us")