A typical car insurance policy covers medical expenses, bodily injury liability and property damage liability. When you buy your auto insurance policy, you can choose your coverage limits.
A limit is the maximum dollar value that your insurance company will pay under that coverage. Higher limits mean higher premiums, but more coverage for you.
What are the different car insurance coverages?
There are various types of car insurance coverages including liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, comprehensive, collision, and medical benefits.
Auto liability coverage
- Bodily injury coverage — covers other parties' medical bills and injury-related expenses if you’re held responsible for the car accident.
- Property damage coverage — helps reimburse another person for their damaged property (such as a car, fence, or building) if you are held responsible for damaging someone else’s property in a car accident.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Helps pay medical costs and other related expenses when you or one of your passengers is injured in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have enough car insurance (is underinsured) or who doesn’t have any coverage (is uninsured). This coverage may also pay for injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident.
Comprehensive coverage
Collision coverage
Helps pay for the cost of repairing or replacing your car if it hits another car or an object, is hit by another car, or if it rolls over while driving.
Medical benefits coverage
Can help pay medical expenses for you or your passengers after an accident. Learn what medical benefits cover in your state.
What is “full coverage” car insurance?
Having “full coverage” means you have collision and comprehensive coverage in addition to your liability coverage. Collision and comprehensive coverage are optional coverages but may be required by the lender if you finance or lease your car.
What are the minimum and mandatory auto insurance coverages?
Each state has their own minimum insurance coverage requirements. Even in states where car insurance isn’t mandatory, there are still minimum requirements for coverage if you choose to have it.
Buying the minimum coverage may not be enough to cover your liability or losses in the event of an accident.
Having only the minimum coverage requirements means paying more out of pocket in the event of an accident where the costs exceed the minimum limits. It may give you the cheapest premiums, but those savings might be negated if you’re liable for injury or damages.
Who is covered by auto insurance?
Numerous people are covered by auto insurance including you as the policyholder, household members listed on the policy and passengers in a covered car.
If you let a friend or someone not listed on your policy operate your car and they get into an accident, your policy pays out first. Their own insurance may only act as secondary coverage if the damage exceeds your policy limits. The damage to your car will be covered by your own collision coverage.
Car insurance coverage scenarios
Different parts of your auto insurance policy cover different situations. That’s why it’s important to understand which coverages apply in which situations. Here are a few claims scenarios and what coverages you need for them:
Car accidents
If you get into an accident with another vehicle, your medical benefits coverage will help pay your injuries and medical expenses. Your liability coverages will help protect you if you are responsible for injuries to others or damages to other vehicles.
Collision coverage can help pay for physical damage to your vehicle if you’re involved in a covered accident.
Hail, tree and other damage
Whether your car suffers damage due to hail or a tree branch falling on it, you’ll be covered if you have comprehensive coverage.
Hit-and-run
If you become the victim of a hit-and-run incident, your injuries may be covered with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Damage to your car can be covered by uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in some circumstances and can also be covered under collision coverage.
You should report the accident to law enforcement within 24 hours or as soon as possible. Try to identify the vehicle, as well as the operator, to the best of your ability.
Theft
Comprehensive coverage helps pay for damage to your car, but it also covers theft of the car itself. Ensure the car was actually stolen and not towed or borrowed without your permission.
Car insurance claims process
File your claim
Assignment and tracking of the claim
After you report your auto insurance claim, you’ll receive a claim number. We’ll also assign you a friendly personal representative to walk you through your policy coverage.
Damage evaluation
If your vehicle has damage and the applicable coverage applies; we offer these super-convenient options to get you back on the road:
- CarPics® Photo Appraisals: submit your eligible claim* quickly and easily by submitting photos from your phone. Receive your estimate in a few hours, and you may even get paid that same day.
- Crashbusters® Mobile Claim Service: have a representative meet you to appraise the damage at a time and place that’s convenient for you.
- Door to Door Valet Claim Service®: let us pick up your car and handle the repair process from start to finish. If you have rental coverage, we’ll even coordinate a rental car.
Have your car repaired
If you get repairs from one of our Guaranteed Repair Shops, we’ll guarantee the work for as long as you own or lease your car.
Receive your claim settlement
At your option, Plymouth Rock may pay your claim to the repair shop, or we may reimburse you directly. Your claim payment will be based on the terms and coverage of your car insurance policy.
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This page is for informational purposes only. Actual coverage may vary and is subject to the policy issued by your insurer. Restrictions and limitations may apply. Review your policy and consult a licensed insurance professional to learn more about your coverage.
* Vehicle must be drivable after the accident to qualify.