If you drive in Virginia, you know how crazy it gets out there. Accidents
happen, fenders get bent, people get hurt. Or you're innocently parked in your
driveway and a tree limb crashes through your windshield. When disaster strikes,
auto insurance is there to protect you.
Why buy auto insurance?
1.) Auto insurance protects you against the financial risk
associated with personal injuries and property damage caused by auto accidents,
theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
2.) Virginia requires you to purchase at least a minimum
amount of liability coverage. Other types of auto insurance coverage may be
optional or required, depending on state regulations.
3.) If you have a car loan outstanding, you'll generally be
required by the lender to purchase at least a minimum amount of auto insurance.
Liability coverage
You'll be required by Virginia law to purchase a minimum amount of some or all
of the following types of liability coverage:
- Bodily injury liability: Protects your assets
if you are held liable for an auto accident in which other people are injured
or killed.
- Property damage liability: Covers repairing or
replacing the autos or other property of other people.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Unless
you live in a "no-fault" state (where your own insurance will cover
your losses), this coverage insures you against losses caused by other drivers
with little (underinsured) or no (uninsured) auto insurance.
To adequately protect yourself, you may want to purchase much more than the
minimum amount of coverage required for Virginia.
Collision, other-than-collision, and medical payments coverages
Although these types of coverage are optional in most states, it often makes
sense to purchase them, unless you can afford to pay for damages yourself.
- Collision: Pays to repair or replace your car
if it's damaged in an accident.
- Comprehensive: Insures your car against damage
caused by something other than an auto accident (e.g., theft, fire, flood,
vandalism).
- Medical payments or personal injury protection:
Covers various medical expenses not covered by your health insurance or your
passengers'.
Shop around
It's important to shop around for auto insurance coverage. Insurance premiums
for the same coverage on the same car can vary widely among different insurers,
even in states that regulate auto insurance rates. A particularly good time
to investigate your alternatives is when your current insurance policy is up
for renewal, but you can shop and change policies at any time. Get quotes from
several reputable companies, but don't let price be your only consideration.
Make sure the coverage offered by each insurer meets your needs, and find out
whether the insurer has a good track record in the industry (contact Virginia’s
Department of Insurance for more information).
Please note that this description/explanation is intended only
as a guideline.