Many people feel good, smart, and safe whenever they purchase cheap full coverage auto insurance from auto insurance companies. After all, it’s “full coverage insurance.” That means you and your car are fully protected and covered in any circumstance, right? Actually, that’s not quite true.
While there are great full coverage car insurance plans that fit the needs of customers, there are certain items and circumstances that most of those policies won’t cover. Let’s take a moment to see what “full coverage auto insurance” really means, what it covers, and what additional insurance coverage you might need to purchase.
What Does “Full Coverage Auto Insurance” Mean?
Full coverage car insurance is a policy that bundles together the liability coverage to cover bodily injury and property damage you’ve caused in a car accident along with comprehensive coverage and collision coverage. When you request full coverage insurance quotes, auto insurance companies combine these three commonly requested coverages together into a single insurance policy. Even then, there could be a variety of different limits and exclusions to coverage since insurance plans vary from insurer to insurer.
Comprehensive and Collision Coverage
These two items can be sold separately, together, or as two parts of a full coverage car insurance plan. In the event of an accident, collision coverage will help pay for the loss or repair to damages done to your vehicle. Comprehensive coverage will cover you for vandalism, theft, or other damages done to your vehicle that weren’t a result of a car accident.
Additional Insurance Coverage
Because “full coverage” doesn’t mean that you have full protection no matter what, you’ll likely want to get a car insurance quote with other additional coverage. While liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage can protect you in many cases, you can have even better protection if you include:
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection – This coverage helps you if you get into an accident with a person that has no insurance or doesn’t have enough coverage on their policy to fulfill the claim. This coverage might be legally required in some states.
- Medical Payments Coverage – This policy helps pay for medical bills to treat injuries you have received as a result of a car accident, regardless of fault. This coverage may also be legally required in some states.
- Emergency Road Service/Towing & Labor – This insurance coverage helps cover the costs to tow a vehicle and make some repairs if your vehicle breaks down on the road.
- Gap Insurance – If your insured vehicle is purchased on a loan or on a lease, this coverage helps pay off the difference in the balance you owe to them and the cash value of the car.
- Customized Parts and Equipment Coverage – If you have made any enhancements to your vehicle, installed an expensive stereo, did any major cosmetic changes to your car, or any other similar customization, you can purchase additional protection to help replace or repair your customized features.
Determining the Best Insurance Policy For You
Getting true full protection on your auto insurance policy can become pretty pricey. You may end up with a car insurance quote that is more expensive than you would like. There are some definitive ways to get cheaper car insurance, however there are some broad factors you should consider when you are purchasing insurance coverage.
First, look at your budget. The more insurance you’re able to afford, the more coverage you should purchase to get the best protection your money can buy. However, you may also want to look into your health insurance plan to see if that coverage is sufficient enough for you to reconsider personal medical cost coverage in your auto insurance plan, depending on state law.
If you are looking to cut some corners at a risk, consider the worth of your vehicle. If you have an older vehicle or one with high mileage, you may want to exclude certain protections if the estimated cost of certain vehicle repairs are more than the vehicle’s worth. You can get an accurate estimate of your car’s worth online by visiting the Kelley Blue Book website.
In any case, talk to an insurance agent to help ensure that you get the coverage you want and compare every car insurance quote you get from the auto insurance companies to make certain that you are getting the best coverage for your dollar.
Now that you know what full coverage auto insurance covers, why not get a free auto insurance quote from Freeway Insurance? You can also get additional coverage to our already affordable plans at a price that will fit your needs and your budget. Call (800) 777-5620 to speak to a live agent.
