Ask yourself these questions when shopping for auto insurance:
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Questions to ask about auto insurance
Check out the company
What is the insurance company's reputation?______________________
Check with your
state insurance department to make
sure the company is licensed in
your state and see if they keep
a record of complaints. Or go to
the NAIC
Consumer Information Source Web site.
If they do keep a record, what is the company's record?______________________ What is their financial rating?______________________
Premiums
What kind of coverage do you need?______________________
Bodily injury and personal property liability are the big ones.
What is your state minimum requirement on bodily injury and personal property liability? Odds are it might not be enough if you have assets to lose in case of a lawsuit resulting from an accident. Consider an umbrella policy to get more protection.
Personal injury protection pays for both medical expenses and lost wages to the policyholder and covers the policyholder's passengers. Drivers in good health with a disability policy could go for the minimum on this coverage.
Collision and
comprehensive falls under the optional
category if you're driving an old
beater. Collision will pay for the
replacement or repair of the car
in any kind of accident while comprehensive
covers you for natural disasters
or theft. For newer cars, carrying
the highest deductible you can afford
will lower the premiums on these
two.
Uninsured motorist will protect you from the yahoos with no insurance or not enough liability coverage to pay for the damages if they're at fault. It also covers you in the event of a hit-and-run.
How much will the coverage you need cost?______________________ How does it compare with what other companies are charging?______________________