FREQUENTLY ASKED AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE QUESTIONS
Below are some frequently asked automobile insurance questions that we hope you will find helpful and informative.
Does everyone have to have Long Island auto insurance?
Yes, automobile liability insurance, or proof of financial responsibility is required in all fifty states. Although each state sets their own limits on how much insurance is needed, these are only minimum limits and in most cases additional coverage is needed if you don’t want to have to pay additional expenses out of pocket. If you have a lease or loan on your car you are usually required by the lender to have comprehensive and collision coverage in addition to the state required liability coverage.
What are the best liability policy limits?
It is generally accepted among insurance agents that the state minimum policy limits are not enough. Most insurance professionals would agree for the average driver the best liability limits to have are 100/300/100. This means:
- 100,000 per person for bodily injury
- 300,000 per accident for bodily injury
- 100,000 per accident for property damage
Since in most areas medical treatment is in fairly the same range, the last limit, per accident for property damage, is the one you may want to take into account if you are not the average driver. If you live in an area where you feel that if there was an accident, that was your fault, and property damage may exceed 100,000, you may want to consider higher limits. Remember, property damage is the other person’s car and any other property damaged during the accident if you are at fault. In some areas one’s landscaping can cost over 100,000!
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision?
Collision coverage is when you have a collision with another car. Comprehensive coverage is when it is anything else other than a collision such as fire or theft. Most people would have both coverages when using the car on a regular basis. Sometimes when one is just storing a car they may only keep comprehensive coverage since they are not using it on the road therefore, it is unlikely to be in a collision.
What are the minimum policy requirements?
Liability is required in every state unless you can prove financial responsibility otherwise. Limits vary widely from state to state and, if you carry the minimum limits, when you drive into another state you will automatically assume that state’s minimum liability requirements
Is anyone who drives my car covered?
In most cases, yes, as long as they have the permission or reasonable belief from the insured that they can use the vehicle. The insured is the person named on the insurance policy and their spouse if applicable.
There are some exclusions, so you would need to look at your particular insurance policy to make sure. Remember, everyone in your household must be listed on your insurance policy if they have a license. For example, if a girlfriend you live with uses your car, she may not be covered if you did not list her on your insurance policy. On the other hand, if you live separately, she could use your car with your permission and be covered.
Should you have any more questions or concerns you many contact any one of our C.H. Edwards insurance specialists for assistance.
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the sun in front of you,
and your friends beside you.”
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