Auto Insurance : Definition, How It Works, Coverage Types & Costs When you buy or lease a car, it's important to protect that investment. Getting auto insurance can offer reassurance in case you're involved in an accident or the vehicle is stolen, vandalized or damaged by a natural disaster. Instead of paying out-of-pocket for auto accidents, people pay annual premiums to an auto insurance company; the company then pays all or most of the costs associated with an auto accident or other vehicle damage. Key Takeaways Car insurance is designed to protect you against financial losses if you're involved in an accident or the vehicle is damaged in some way. Most states require you to have minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage; some also require you to have other coverage types, such as uninsured motorist coverage. Premiums are what you pay monthly, biannually or yearly to maintain a car insurance policy while deductibles are amounts you pay whe...
Get the Coverage You Need: Understanding Car Insurance Key Takeaways: Car insurance helps pay to fix your car if it’s damaged in an accident or another covered incident. Buying car insurance is almost always required if you own a car, but the level of coverage is up to you. Most insurance companies let you tailor your car insurance policy to meet your needs and budget. Depending on the policy you choose, car insurance can provide financial protection in the event your car is damaged or stolen, you’re injured in an accident, or you’re at fault for an accident that causes bodily injury or property damage to third parties. It can also help you meet any minimum coverage requirements mandated by your state or required by a lender. How car insurance works specifically can depend on the laws of your state, which coverages you carry, and your insurer. On this page we’ll cover some of the most common types of car insurance coverage and offer some tips for deciding how much coverage you need a...