Auto Insurance
Buying Auto Insurance
For most of us, our cars are one of the biggest investments we make, and to experience a loss could be financially devastating. Auto insurance can cover more than just the repairs on your vehicle. Depending on the coverage you choose, your insurance can:
- Cover medical expenses associated with an accident.
- Pay for losses caused by underinsured or uninsured drivers
- Reimburse you for damages suffered because of vandalism, natural disasters or theft
- Pay for legal representation in case of a lawsuit.
Understanding Auto Insurance Terms
Every auto policy offers certain coverages. Often times the terms may be confusing to all but insurance professionals. Here is a quick reference guide for the terms that are most commonly used. However, you should read your own policy carefully. If you do not understand any aspect of your policy, take the time to review it with your agent.
Required Coverages
- Bodily Injury: If you injure someone in a car accident, this coverage pays that person’s medical and other expenses and any damages for which they may sue you.
- Property Damage Liability: If you are at fault in an accident and you damage someone else’s property, this coverage pays to fix it.
- Medical Benefits: This coverage pays medical bills for you and others covered on your policy, no matter who was at fault in the accident.
- Personal Injury Protection: An extension of car insurance available in some states that covers medical expenses and, in some cases, lost wages and other damages. PIP pays off regardless of who is at fault and is mandatory in some states, especially those with “no-fault” laws.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: If you are injured in an accident and the person who hits you doesn’t have enough insurance, this coverage will pay for your losses and damages, including your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. It usually makes sense to purchase the same level of this coverage that you have for bodily injury liability.
- Stacking/Unstacking: The application of limits of more than one policy when multiple policies apply to a covered loss. In Pennsylvania, UM stacking means combining the limits of all of the cars on a multi-car policy when only one car is involved in an Uninsured Motorist loss.
Optional Personal Auto Coverages:
- Collision: This coverage will pay to fix your car in the event of a collision. Comprehensive: This coverage pays for theft as well as damage to your car from hazards, including fire, flood, vandalism or striking an animal.
- Rental: This coverage reimburses you if you must rent a vehicle while your vehicle is being repaired following an accident.
- Towing: This coverage reimburses you if you must tow your vehicle following a breakdown or accident.
- Additional Personal Injury Protection: Increases your protection over and above the limits of the required coverage.
Ask Us About Auto Discounts Available
- Good Driver Discount
- Good Student Discount
- Alarm System Discount
- Multi-Vehicle Discount
- Home/Auto Discount
