Important Questions to Ask Yourself When Buying Car Insurance

Car insurance is something that every driver should carry. However, with millions of cars and drivers on the road every day, there are as countless unique policy options on the market to meet each driver’s needs. Your job is to choose the plan that is best for you, and that will mean asking yourself and your agent some important questions. a close up of a car

Some of the things to always consider when buying car insurance are:

1. How Much Can I Afford?

Car insurers charge your premium based on your risk of filing a claim on your policy. Those who have more expensive vehicles, checkered driving records or other risks in their backgrounds might pay more. However, before buying a policy, you should probably have a good idea in mind of what price fits your budget. Therefore, your agent won’t waste time on directing you towards more expensive policies and can instead search within your price parameters for the right benefits.

2. What Liability Coverage is Best for Me?

Most states require all drivers to carry auto liability insurance. This coverage ensures that you have the money to compensate others if you are at-fault for a wreck that harms them. Though you will have to carry minimum levels of coverage to be compliant with the law, you can increase these benefits to your advantage. Often, carrying higher amounts of liability coverage will give you much more protection from the ramifications of at-fault accidents at a very affordable cost.

3. Do I Need Physical Damage Insurance?

Liability insurance alone does not cover the costs of damage to your own car. You will have to buy physical damage insurance—comprehensive and collision coverage—to receive this benefit. If you have financed your car, then your lender might require you to buy coverage. They might also require you to buy gap insurance, which helps you pay off the difference between the value of your car and your loan in case you total the car.

4. What Deductible is Right for Me?

When you buy physical damage insurance, the policy will likely include a deductible. A deductible is an amount of money that you agree to pay towards your repair costs yourself. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible, and your vehicle sustains $6,000 in damage, then you pay for $1,000 worth of repairs and your policy pays $5,000.

However, you should always think carefully about your deductible value. Choosing a higher deductible might lower your premium. Still, choosing a deductible value that is too high will mean you have to pay more money out of pocket. Therefore, never choose an unaffordable deductible just so you can save a few follars on your premium.

Important Questions to Ask Yourself When Buying Car Insurance

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