Auto Insurance Coverage

We’ve defined six common auto insurance coverages plus additional endorsements, so you can drive with confidence knowing you’re protected on the road.
Author:
Lily DiGregorio
Lily DiGregorio,Staff copywriter
Lily DiGregorio
Staff copywriter specializing in auto and home insurance for The Hartford.
Reviewed By:
Ben Ewbank
Ben Ewbank,Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing
Ben Ewbank
Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing at The Hartford.
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Updated: 02/04/2026
Read Time: 6 minutes
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Key Takeaways

  • Understanding what your policy covers is key to ensuring you have the protection you need to enjoy peace of mind on the road. That’s why we’ve explained the six most common car insurance coverages.
  • Beyond your basic policy offerings, The Hartford has additional coverages you can take advantage of to increase your level of protection.
  • Not sure how much coverage you need based on where you live or your insurance goals? We’ve created a car insurance calculator to help you choose coverage amounts.

Get the Automobile Insurance Coverage You Need

It’s important to have the right amount of car insurance. It provides financial protection if you’re in an accident or something happens to your vehicle. But it may be difficult to decide how much protection you need since there are many types of coverage options. That’s where The Hartford can help. We’re here to help you understand the different types of coverage available to you with AARP® Auto Insurance from The Hartford.1
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Why Do We Ask This?
States have requirements for how much car insurance coverage drivers must have. The minimum required amount can vary for bodily injury liability, property damage liability and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Why Do We Ask This?
If you lease or finance your car, the lender or leasing company typically has coverage requirements and may have to be named on the policy.
When It Comes To Insurance, What Matters Most?

Why Do We Ask This?
Everyone has different needs for car insurance. If you want to pay less for coverage, you'll have higher out-of-pocket costs with a claim. If you want the most protection, you'll pay more for coverage but have lower out-of-pocket costs with a claim.

6 Types of Car Insurance Coverages

Below are common types of auto insurance coverages that you’ll find on most standard policies:

Liability Coverage

There are two types of liability coverages. Bodily injury liability coverage to protect you from financial loss if you hurt someone in an accident, and property damage liability coverage helps pay for damage that your car causes to property you don’t own.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance helps pay to repair damage to your car from things like:
  • Natural disasters
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Collision with an animal

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance helps pay to repair or replace your car if you hit another vehicle or object, like a fence.

Medical Payments Coverage

Medical payments coverage is an optional coverage that provides financial assistance for medical expenses and rehabilitation after an accident.2

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, also known as no-fault insurance, helps pay for losses related to injuries from a car accident, no matter who was at fault. In addition to medical bills, PIP also helps cover funeral costs or lost wages.
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What Auto Insurance Coverage is Required in My State?

Select a state using the map or dropdown menu. Note: Coverage is not available in all states. Or you can browse All States Car Insurance coverages to learn about your state requirements.
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More Auto Insurance Coverages You May Need

For added protection, you might consider these additional car insurance coverages.

Full Glass Coverage

With full auto glass insurance, the cost of repairing your car’s headlights, mirrors and windows will be covered in full with no out-of-pocket costs. So, if a thief breaks in by smashing your car window and you have this coverage, you won’t have to pay a deductible to get it fixed.

Gap Insurance

If your car is stolen or totaled, gap insurance can help pay the difference between your car’s actual cash value (ACV) and the amount you owe on your car loan. Many lenders require gap insurance for financed and leased vehicles.

Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage

With rental car reimbursement coverage, your insurer reimburses you for a rental car in the event of a covered comprehensive or collision loss. Also known as transportation expense coverage, it helps cover the cost to rent a replacement vehicle while your car gets repaired.

Rental Car Insurance

Rental companies usually offer rental car insurance in the form of a waiver that keeps you from being held financially responsible if there’s damage to the car or someone breaks into it. But your car insurance coverage with The Hartford will automatically extend to help cover any damage to your rental vehicle if you’re in a car accident.

Roadside Assistance

The Hartford’s emergency roadside assistance service makes difficult situations less stressful when you’re out on the road, offering 24/7 assistance and a network of 40,000 towing and roadside services across the United States. This coverage helps pay for towing and labor charges associated with getting your vehicle running again in the event of a breakdown.
Need help deciding how much additional coverage you want? Looking to learn more about exclusive benefits just for AARP members? Call The Hartford at 888-546-9099 today.

Things To Consider When Choosing Car Insurance Coverage

There are several things you should keep in mind when choosing coverage for car insurance, like:
 
  • What coverages and limits your state requires
  • If your lienholder has coverage requirements
  • How much you can afford to pay out of pocket for repairs or replacements
  • The current value of your vehicle
AARP car insurance video

AARP Auto Insurance 101

Learn more about AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford in this video.
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Get Auto Insurance Coverage at a Rate You Can Afford

At The Hartford, we know choosing car insurance coverage can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help you get the coverage you want at a rate you can afford. For over 40 years, AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford has protected AARP members and their loved ones on the road without breaking the bank. To learn more, get a car insurance quote online or call us at 888-546-9099.

Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Insurance Coverage

The three main types of car insurance are liability, collision and comprehensive. Liability insurance is required by law in most states and helps cover damages or injuries you cause to others. Collision coverage pays for damage to your car from an accident, and comprehensive coverage helps pay for expenses from non-collision events, like theft or weather damage. Lenders or leasing companies often require collision and comprehensive coverage if you have a car loan or lease.
Comprehensive insurance coverage is included in full coverage car insurance. While it can mean different things depending on the driver, a full coverage car insurance policy generally means it meets state requirements for liability insurance and includes comprehensive and collision coverage.
Liability insurance, which is part of an auto insurance policy that consists of bodily injury and property damage coverages, is legally required in most states.
While you need at least what is legally required in your state, it makes sense to have more protection. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay out of pocket if something happens and you don’t have any or enough coverage.
The best car insurance coverage to have depends on personal factors, like where you live, the value of your vehicle and how much you can afford to pay out of pocket for repairs. From basic car insurance required in your state to extra protection for more peace of mind, The Hartford can help you find the right car insurance coverage based on your unique needs and driving habits.
Whether it’s better to have a $500 or $1,000 deductible depends on your budget. Since a deductible is the amount you must pay before insurance covers the rest, some prefer to have a lower deductible to save on out-of-pocket costs. On the other hand, a higher deductible typically means lower monthly insurance costs.
A clean driving history with no accidents can help reduce car insurance rates, since it proves you’re a responsible driver and low risk to your insurance company. For example, benefits like accident forgiveness can help give safe drivers a break when they have a one-time accident, as long as all drivers on your policy have a clean driving record and are accident-free for five straight years with The Hartford.‡

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2 Medical benefits are calculated on the basis of usual, customary and reasonable charges.
** Average annual savings are based on information reported by customers who switched to The Hartford’s newest rate plan between 9/1/24 and 8/31/25. Average auto insurance savings $597 and average home insurance savings $366. Your savings may vary. Rate differences for AARP members and non-members vary by state and AARP membership tenure. Auto/Home discount is available only to policyholders who have both their auto and home (or condo or renters) insurance through the AARP Auto & Home Insurance program from The Hartford. The Hartford does not write new business in all areas, including the states of CA and FL.
 
§ Availability of RecoverCare benefit and benefit levels vary by state. The Hartford RecoverCare Advantage® is a registered mark of The Hartford.
 
§§ Terms and conditions apply.
 
‡ Terms and conditions apply. Accident Forgiveness and the Disappearing Deductible are not available to CA policyholders.
 
‡‡ Terms and conditions apply. Availability varies by state.
 
‡‡‡ Based on one car and driver; individual rate/premium/savings will vary based on actual coverage selections and characteristics of vehicle(s)/driver(s).
 
Additional disclosures below.
AARP® Auto Insurance
Quick Links
FAQs
For AARP® Members
Additional Resources
Summaries of coverages and policy features are for informational purposes only. In the event of loss, the actual terms and conditions set forth in your policy will determine your coverage.
 
AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states.
 
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA, by Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company; in WA, by Hartford Casualty Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company and Twin City Fire Insurance Company. The AARP Home Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA by Property and Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford; in WA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company, Sentinel Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, and Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company. The Hartford does not write new Home business in all areas, including the states of CA and FL. Savings, benefits and coverages may vary and some applicants may not qualify. The Program is currently unavailable in Canada and U.S. Territories or possessions.
 
1 In Texas, the Auto Program is underwritten by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company through Hartford of the Southeast General Agency, Inc. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company. The Home Program is underwritten by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast.
 
* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.