If you are the owner of a vehicle, you must have insurance. Many people are feeling the effect of the economy. Auto insurance is expensive and it seems as though the premiums keep rising. There are two things that have combined to help lower premiums. First, cars are much safer than they once were. Second, the middle aged class consists of drivers that have fewer accidents. These two things have actually caused premiums to decrease. It is important to know what factors determine how much your policy will cost. These factors are your age, the type of vehicle you drive, your driving record, the age of the vehicle and where you live. The best way to save on your premium is to tailor your coverage. Shopping around for the best coverage at the lowest cost is another way to save.

When you are shopping for auto insurance, you need to be aware of the three types of coverage you need. These include liability, comprehensive and collision. These three components are responsible for the majority of your premium. They are each a distinct and important part of your policy.

The comprehensive and collision coverage account for 40% of your insurance policy. Both of these involve a set deductible amount. That amount must be paid by the policy holder before the insurance benefits begin. Policies may also have an option to add medical payments. This would cover all medical expenses for yourself and any passenger in the vehicle. With medical coverage, it does not matter who was at fault. The expenses will be covered by the policy.

There are other things you can add to your policy if you feel you need additional protection or services. Many people add substitute transportation. This covers the cost of a rental vehicle if your car was damaged in an accident. There is a set amount per day that is allotted. Another popular coverage is towing insurance. If you do not have an AAA membership, this may be worth adding. Towing expenses can add up quickly, so it is best to have some kind of coverage for this.

To reduce the cost of your premium, you can carry only the essentials. Each state has a minimum insurance requirement. Almost every state requires drivers to carry liability coverage, though the amount will differ per state. The liability coverage is effective when other property or people are injured in the accident. You are not obligated to carry any additional insurance. This is one way to cut the cost, but it is not the best choice for everyone. If you have assets, you may want the additional coverage to protect your valuables in the event of a lawsuit resulting from an accident.

If you drive an older car, you may be able to remove the collision and comprehensive coverage completely. This will save a lot of money. Be sure to check what the state requirements are before making any changes to your current policy. The majority of states require uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage kicks in when you are hit by a driver who is uninsured or underinsured.

You know you need car insurance, but do you really know what the different types of auto insurance coverage are? How much car insurance you need? Or how you can find the best rate on car insurance? Here’s a simple guide that answers those questions.

What are the different types of auto insurance coverage?

Car insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident or your car is stolen. A car insurance policy can include several different types of coverages:

* Bodily injury liability, which pays for injuries that you cause someone else.

* Property damage liability coverage, which pays for damage that you cause to someone else’s property.

* Medical coverage, which pays the cost of treating your injuries, or those of your passengers, after an accident.

* Collision coverage, which pays for damage to your car caused by flipping over or colliding with another car or an object.

* Comprehensive coverage, which pays you if your car is stolen or damaged by something other than a collision.

* Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which pays if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance.

* Towing and rental coverage, which pays if you have a breakdown and need to have your vehicle towed and if you need to rent a vehicle while yours is being repaired.

How much insurance do I need?

Most states have minimum insurance requirements for liability insurance. You can check your state’s department of insurance website to find out what the minimum requirements are for your state. Note, though, that you may want to buy higher limits of coverage.

Collision or comprehensive coverage is not required by state law, but if you’re buying a new car your lender may require it.

How do I find the best rate on car insurance?

To save time and money when you shop for car insurance, go to an insurance comparison website where you can compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. As an added benefit, the best insurance comparison websites have insurance professionals on hand to answer your car insurance questions.

Auto insurance is at its heart financial protection. You purchase insurance in order to prevent paying thousands of dollars in the event of a collision or other loss. Many different types of insurance are available, covering almost every conceivable means of loss or damage to your vehicle as well as others to which you may cause damage. Very few drivers need to purchase every single type of insurance, so it is helpful to understand each type in order to decide which ones you require.

Property damage insurance is sometimes known as liability insurance. This product is designed to cover damages that you may do to someone else’s vehicle. Your state sets a minimum amount of this insurance that you must carry but the state requirement is often quite low. If the damage you cause exceeds the limits of your insurance you could be sued for the difference. It is therefore wise to purchase as much property damage insurance as you can afford.

Personal injury insurance is usually required by law, though the required amount may vary by state. This insurance pays a portion of your medical bills (generally 80 percent) and a portion of your lost wages (usually 60 percent) if you are injured in an accident. Personal injury protection often includes a small death benefit as well. This insurance may cover your relatives or household members or even everyone in the car, depending on your insurance company’s policies and state mandates.

Bodily injury insurance is extremely important even though it is not required by many jurisdictions. If you are at fault for an accident that injures someone beyond the limits of his personal injury coverage, bodily injury insurance will cover the difference. Otherwise you could be sued for medical expenses.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If you are injured beyond the limits of your personal injury protection in an accident caused by someone who does not carry bodily injury insurance, what are your options? You could certainly sue him and likely win your case. However lawsuits are time consuming and expensive, and if he does not have the money to pay you might be stuck with an uncollectible judgment against him. Instead, your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage could cover your injuries. This protection is reasonably priced and will ensure that you are paid in a timely manner. Purchase this coverage if you can.

Collision insurance will reimburse you for damages to your vehicle if you are at fault. Collision coverage will pay up to the actual cash value of the vehicle less your deductible. If your car is financed you may be required to carry collision insurance. However the premiums are high and this product is not recommended for older low value vehicles.

Comprehensive insurance will pay for damage or loss to your vehicle from both theft and acts of God. Comprehensive coverage will pay up to the actual cash value of the vehicle less your deductible. This insurance is usually required if your car is financed but not recommended for older cars with a low cash value.

Many other options are also available, covering everything from medical payments beyond your personal injury coverage to a rental car while yours is being repaired. Most of these options are good to have if you can afford them but not necessary if you can’t. Always speak with your insurance agent if you have any questions or concerns regarding your coverage options.