Car insurance questions & answers

Below you'll find some of of our most frequently asked car insurance questions. Some may be questions you didn't even know you had. And if you can't find the answer you need, contact editor@insurance.com.

Price

• How does marriage affect car insurance premiums?
• Can an auto insurance company cancel a policy after just one claim?
• Why are some cars more costly to insure than others?
• Will missing a car insurance premium payment for one month cause an insurer to cancel the policy?
• How can I insure my teen without breaking the bank?

Coverage Basics

• How much liability car insurance should I buy?
• Does a car insurance policy's deductible apply to a broken windshield repair?
• What are the options when an insurer-recommended body shop does unsatisfactory repair work?
• How do insurers decide whether to total my car?
• Should I buy Medical Payments coverage if I have health insurance?
• What is car rental reimbursement insurance, and should I buy it??
• Don't own, but still drive? Look for nonowners car insurance
• I'm buying a beater that's worth next to nothing. Must I insure it?
• Does my car insurance cover someone who borrows my car?
• What are the signs that a senior is too old to drive?
• My son has been driving without insurance for a few years. Now he wants to get it, but I'm worried. Won't he have trouble finding a company willing to insure him?
• My son enters college this fall. Are there insurance issues I need to consider?
• What are the insurance implications when a child takes a parent's car to college?
• What happens when an uninsured driver hits you?
• Can I temporarily suspend my auto insurance coverage?

Coverage Terms

• What is an SR-22 form?
• What is no-fault auto insurance and which states have it?
• Do I need Uninsured Motorists and Underinsured Motorists coverage?
• What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage?
• How does gap insurance work?
• What's included in collision coverage, and what should my deductibles be?
• What is comprehensive coverage?
• What is Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability coverage?

Getting a Quote

• Can I get a car insurance quote online or by phone?
• Can I just get an estimated auto insurance rate?
• Why is credit information necessary on a car insurance application?
• What information do I need to get a quote?
• Do I need my Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or driver's license number to get a quote?
• How does my credit history affect my home insurance and car insurance rates?
• What are some tips for insuring my first car?