How to Determine Coverage for Car Insurance
- 1). Find out the state liability requirements. Each state sets forth the minimum amount of liability insurance required to comply with the auto financial responsibility laws. By visiting your state's Department of Insurance, you can find out how much insurance you are required to carry.
- 2). Review the finance agreement for your car. When it comes to determining which insurance coverage to purchase for your vehicle, the lending institution usually outlines the coverage it requires in order to continue financing the car. To protect its financial interest, it usually requires car owners to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage (physical damage). This is a first-party coverage that reimburses the car owner and finance company in the event of a claim.
- 3). Add the required lien holders to the policy. Second to requiring physical damage coverage, lending institutions stipulate the lien holder requirement. In the event of a physical damage claim, the insurance company will issue the claim check in the name of the lien holder and car owner combined. It is important to remove the lien holder from the insurance company once the loan is paid in full.
- 4). Consider the size of the physical damage deductible. Since there is a direct relationship between the size of the deductible and the premium savings, you may be tempted to purchase an insurance policy with a large deductible to realize a large premiums savings. Before doing so, however, review the finance contract. Often times the lender's contract stipulates the maximum deductible they are willing to accept.
- 5). Talk with your insurance agent. It's best to get professional advice from an insurance agent when it comes to determining which insurance coverages to buy for your car. With the ease of purchasing insurance coverage online, you may be tempted to forgo speaking with a live agent. It would be in your best interest to call the insurance company and chat with a customer service representative.