Auto Insurance Analysis

Buying car insurance is like buying a car:

• There are standard and optional features called "coverages."
• You want to know the function and value of each coverage before you buy.
• It's not just the short-term purchase that matters, but what you get in the long term that really counts.

Understanding coverages may help you determine what you need:

Liability Coverage. Pays for other people's injuries and damage to their property if you or someone else cause an accident while driving your car. It protects your assets in the event you are held liable for damage to others. Click here for Personal Umbrella Coverage info.

Medical Expense Coverage. If you and your passengers are injured in an auto accident, this coverage pays your medical expenses.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists Coverage. Pays bodily injury claims if you or your passengers are injured by a negligent uninsured motorist, hit-and-run vehicle or a negligent driver without adequate insurance.

Personal Injury Protection (No-Fault Coverage). If you or passengers in your car are injured in an auto accident, this coverage pays for medical expenses, loss of wages and death benefits.

Collision Coverage. If your car collides with another vehicle or object, this coverage pays to repair your auto. It may also cover damage to a rental car that you use. Check with your insurance agent or company for details.

Comprehensive Coverage. Pays for damage to your car caused by theft, fire, windstorm, glass breakage and many other non-collision occurrences.

Towing and Labor Coverage. If your car becomes disabled, this coverage pays for towing and the labor to repair your car, up to your policy limits. Some companies provide emergency roadside assistance program to make it easy for you to get help when your car becomes disabled.

Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage. If your car becomes disabled and you need to rent a substitute, this coverage pays the cost of the rental car, up to your policy limits. For coverage on a car you rent, see Collision Coverage.

Waiver of Collision Deductible. If you are in an accident with another vehicle and can identify the owner, and you are determined not to be at fault in any way, then you do not have to pay the collision deductible.

Replacement Cost Coverage. If you have a total loss on a new vehicle within the first 180 days or 7,500 miles (whichever occurs first) after your purchase, The Hartford will replace your car, or pay you the amount needed to replace your car.

Supplemental Death Benefit. Auto policies will now automatically include a $10,000 death benefit payable if the insured dies as a result of an automobile accident and the insured -- and all passengers in the vehicle -- were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

For more information on Personal Insurance Products,
call your local Hartford agent.
Or, to speak with us directly, send an e-mail to:
plinfo@thehartford.com