The state of Minnesota requires auto insurance to drive on the roads. With this requirement 10% of drivers still drive without insurance and many more drive with the minimum $10,000 of property damage required. The average crash costs $61,600. What are your liability limits? Selecting good limits may be the most important thing you do.
What to consider when selecting your coverage:
Jeremy called me. His old commuter car was just in a major hailstorm damaging his glass windshield and denting his hood. We had just done an annual review of his coverage during which I encouraged him to keep comprehensive coverage, so all we had to do was make the call to us. We arranged for the claim and he ended up with a new windshield and check for the damage to the hood less his deductible.
Comprehensive coverage including $0 deductible glass coverage isn’t just for new vehicles. It’s typically inexpensive and is recommended for most vehicles on the road today. A new windshield typically costs between $250 and $500 but we’ve seen windshields replacements as high as $1000. New collision avoidance technology needs to be re-calibrated with a new windshield. Glass coverage is recommended for cars new and old!
The right auto insurance policy can help get you back on the road quickly if your car is damaged or destroyed by accident, fire, theft, or other covered event. Your policy may also provide protection against medical and legal expenses resulting from injury, loss of life, or property damage caused by an accident involving your vehicle.
An auto insurance policy is a contract between you and an insurance company. You pay a premium, and in exchange, the insurance company promises to pay for specific car-related financial losses during the term of the policy. Work with us to determine the best coverage for you.
Auto insurance requirements vary by state. In some states, to drive you must carry:
• Liability coverage – to pay for losses you cause others, or:
• No-fault coverage – to pay you and your passengers for medical and related expenses caused by injuries from a car accident, regardless of who is at fault, or
• Both liability and no-fault coverage.
Even in states where coverage isn’t required, drivers must, by law, be able to pay for losses they cause others. Having insurance is the simplest way for most people to comply. To finance a car, it is usually necessary to have insurance which covers damage to your vehicle. This includes:
Collision Insurance:
Collision insurance coverage pays for damage caused to your vehicle in an automobile accident. Standard collision coverage will pay for any repairs up to the fair market value of your car. Collision coverage usually also comes with an insurance deductible. It’s the amount of money you pay toward repairs before your collision insurance kicks in. The higher the deductible you’re willing to pay, the less the collision coverage will cost.
Comprehensive Insurance (Other than Collision):
Comprehensive insurance covers damage done to your car in some way other than a collision, such as if it were stolen or vandalized. Flood, hurricane, theft, windshield damage and fire are also events usually covered by comprehensive car insurance. Like collision, comprehensive will pay up to the fair market value of your car (less your insurance deductible). And although it’s not legally required by any state, you will probably need it if your car is financed
