Whether you're truly in need of the barest, least expensive car insurance policy or have room in your budget to increase coverage substantially, you can never assume that all car insurance policies are the same. You must ask about what's specifically included so you know what you're paying for and what you can call on when something happens to your car. And it's not just new insurance holders and new drivers who need to know. Everyone needs to ask because their old policies might have been comparatively sparse, and they don't know what else they can cover. If you're about to get car insurance, be sure you ask these three questions as you set up your policy.
Does the Policy Cover Hail and Flood Damage?
A lot of comprehensive coverage is coverage for damage unrelated to vehicle accidents, such as when someone vandalizes your car, or a rock hits it and makes a dent as you drive. The insurance will also cover weather-related issues such as hail damage and flood damage. But coverage is not always a guarantee, especially if your state tends to have a lot of that type of damage; the insurance policy may treat it as a separate category of coverage, much like homeowner's insurance covers water damage from rain leaking into the home but not flood damage from an overflowing river. You want to know if you need to arrange for extra coverage specifically for hail, flooding, or other types of damage.
Is Windshield Coverage Separate From Comprehensive?
If you drive for long enough, you'll likely have to deal with a windshield chip at least once. Some policies bundle windshield repair and replacement with comprehensive insurance, but others make it a separate type of coverage that you have to ask for. No matter where you live, it is recommended that you get full coverage for your windshield and windows, be that by lowering the deductible for comprehensive coverage or arranging for full windshield coverage as a separate entry in the list of things covered by the insurance.
Is Rental Car Coverage Separate?
A usually optional type of coverage is rental car coverage, where the insurance will cover a few days of renting a car if yours is in the shop due to an accident that your insurance is covering. Most of the time, this is a separate type of coverage that you have to specifically ask for. However, it's worth checking if your basic comprehensive or collision coverages offer any similar benefits. That's handy if you're trying to keep premiums lower.
Reach out to a nationwide car insurance coverage provider to learn more.
Share6 September 2022
Like many new homeowners, when my husband and I purchased our first home, we were on a tight budget. We knew we needed a good home insurance policy, but we had a difficult time finding one that provided the coverage we needed in our flood prone area of the country at a price we could afford. We spoke to many insurance agents and finally found one that covered everything we needed at a reasonable price. We learned a lot about home insurance along the way, and we are eager to share what we have learned with other new homeowners who need the advice! We plan to post new home insurance tips and news often, so come back soon!