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More: Auto Insurance Coverages
Bodily Injury
Protection
Protects you against financial loss if someone
is killed or injured by your auto and you are found liable.
Your legal expenses and court costs would also be included
for a covered suit, as would your bail bond expenses.
Example: During your morning commute, the vehicle
in front of you stops fast and you are unable to avoid hitting
it. Your Bodily Injury Protection will cover injuries sustained
by those in the car you struck.
Recommended Limit: A minimum split limit of $100,000/$300,000
or a single limit of $300,000
Property
Damage Liability
Covers you against financial loss if you are found
liable for damage to other people's property caused by your
auto.
Example: Following the Bodily Injury example, any damage
done to the other driver's vehicle would be covered by Property
Damage Liability coverage.
Recommended Limit: A minimum of $50,000
Uninsured
Motorist Coverage
Pays damages for bodily injury or death caused by an uninsured
driver or hit and run driver who is legally responsible for
the accident.
Example: A vehicle running a red light hits you on
the passenger side of your vehicle. You require medical attention.
Unfortunately, the other driver does not have insurance. Your
Uninsured Motorist will cover you to the limits on your policy.
Recommended Limit: A split limit of $100,000/$300,000
or a single limit of $300,000
Underinsured
Motorist
This coverage pays benefits for bodily injury or
death caused by an insured driver whose Liability coverage
limit is insufficient to cover the losses incurred. The benefits
are paid to you and passengers in your vehicle, or to any
pedestrian you injure.
Example: Following the Uninsured Motorist coverage
example: what if the other driver is insured for only $20,000
and your medical bills are $40,000? Underinsured Motorist
coverage will protect you for any excess medical costs up
to the limit listed in you policy.
Recommended Limit: A split limit of $100,000/$300,000
or a single limit of $300,000
Personal
Injury Protection (No-fault)
Pays benefits for the cost of injuries to you or
your passengers resulting from an automobile accident. This
coverage applies without regard to who was at fault in the
accident. It also applies to you and relatives living in your
household who are injured in other automobiles or who are
struck by a vehicle while a pedestrian. The benefit of this
coverage is that in an accident each driver's coverage would
pay for their own injuries without having to wait for lawsuits
to be settled. Many states require that you carry Personal
Injury Protection.
Example: A vehicle pulls out from a side street and,
unable to stop in time, you hit it. Each driver's Personal
Injury Protection coverage would pay for the cost of any injuries
resulting form the accident.
Recommended Limit: $50,000 minimum
Medical or
No-fault Coverage
Pays up to your policy limit for reasonable medical
expenses incurred within three years of an accident. Medical
payments Coverage applies to everyone in your auto. In many
states you may choose your own Medical Payments Coverage limit.
Example: Medical Payments would also apply in the Personal
Injury Protection example. The tow coverages pay for medical
expenses, and depending on what state you live in, either
or both coverages may apply.
Recommended Limit: $5,000 minimum
Collision
Pays the actual cash value of damages to your covered
auto (up to the auto's actual cash value) caused by an impact
with another vehicle or object. The amount of your deductible
will be subtracted from any settlement. You may want to consider
this coverage if your auto is seven years old or newer.
Example: While backing out of a tight parking space,
you hit the vehicle next to you. Your collision coverage will
pay for damages to your vehicle, beyond your deductible, caused
by the impact.
Recommended Limit: Recommended for vehicles 7 years
old and newer with a deductible that is financially comfortable
for you.
Comprehensive
Pays for losses to your covered auto (up to its
actual cash value) which are not caused by collision. This
includes damage caused by fire, theft, glass breakage, riot,
windstorm and hail. The amount of your deductible will be
subtracted from any settlement.
Example: Vandals break your windshield and spray paint
on you car. Comprehensive coverage will pay to restore your
vehicle to the condition it was in prior to the incident.
You pay only the deductible amount.
Recommended Limit: Recommended for vehicles 10 years
old and newer, with a deductible that is financially comfortable
to you.


The program
features or coverage descriptions above are general and for
information purposes only. Actual claim coverage in the event
of a loss would be determined by your policy's terms and conditions.
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