Meet Sarah, a prominent scientist working in a well-known university. One fateful afternoon, as Sarah and a coworker are returning from lunch, a severe car accident occurs. Sarah’s car collides with another vehicle that made an abrupt turn. Following this, her car swerves and topples a streetlight.
Though airbags burst open and seat belts secure everyone, fortunately, no major injuries occur. After emergency medical technicians and police arrive, Sarah and her coworker head to the hospital for a precautionary check-up. They are discharged after a few hours. The driver of the other car is treated on-site. Both cars are towed, and insurance companies are notified.
Sarah is not legally at fault but finds out the other driver had inadequate insurance. Thankfully, Sarah’s robust insurance policy covers damage to public property (the streetlight), medical expenses for her and her coworker, and repairs to her own car. Because her coverage was sufficient, she avoids paying substantial out-of-pocket costs.
Individual car insurance provides coverage for your personal automobile. State laws mandate a minimum amount of coverage that must include specific components to be legally compliant.
This type of insurance can be divided into two primary categories: liability insurance and physical damage coverage. When combined, these two provide what is commonly known as full coverage.
Liability insurance aims to cover costs incurred by third parties. This insurance is broken down into bodily injury and property damage coverage. Each state has different minimum requirements for bodily injury coverage. In New York, for example, the minimum requirements are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Some states have lesser requirements like $15,000/$30,000, while others may go as low as $10,000/$20,000. These limits can be raised incrementally, even reaching up to a single combined single limit (CSL) around $1 million, covering any mix of property and bodily damage up to that point.
The minimum property damage liability coverage in states like New York is $10,000. However, it is generally advisable to opt for a higher limit. This is particularly important when considering the cost of repairs for luxury vehicles, which could far exceed the minimum coverage amount.
Liability insurance does not cover damages to your own vehicle; that’s where physical damage coverage comes in, consisting of comprehensive and collision coverage. Comprehensive protects against incidents like theft or vandalism, while collision covers damages incurred during an accident. Combined with liability insurance, this makes up what’s commonly referred to as “full coverage.”
Additional options like rental car and towing coverage can also be added. If the person at fault in an accident has insufficient or no insurance, your policy can cover the difference up to your base limits through underinsured and uninsured coverage.
Essentially, anyone owning a car must have individual car insurance. If someone else, like a teen driver, uses your car, your insurance policy must extend to cover them as well.
Business owners need to consult their insurance agents and accountants to decide whether the car should be business-owned or personally owned, as each scenario has its unique implications.
Standard individual car insurance doesn’t apply to those driving for Uber or Lyft; they require Commercial Auto Insurance with specified minimum limits, as mandated by local regulatory bodies.
For those using their personal cars for work purposes, such as deliveries or business errands, a Hired & Non-owned policy or endorsement is recommended. This offers an added layer of protection in case of an accident during work-related activities.
There are almost no limitations or exclusions for individual car insurance, except for cases involving fraud or misrepresentation.
Every automobile must have insurance, and it’s crucial to have as comprehensive a coverage as is financially feasible to protect against varied risks and financial losses.
While individual car insurance may seem straightforward, it’s important to consult a seasoned insurance agent rather than navigating the complexities on your own via online platforms. They can provide expert advice tailored to your specific needs.
