What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover?

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When you buy a new vehicle from Don Hattan Dealerships, it’s common knowledge that you’ll need auto insurance. And while you might know how auto insurance works, do you understand the different types of auto insurance available? When looking for auto coverage, it’s important to know these types and what they cover to find the right policy for you. Here are some basic car insurance types, along with explanations of how they work and what they include.

 

 

What Type of Car Insurance Is Required by Law?

Before we dive into the different types of car insurance coverage, you might be asking what type of car insurance is required by law. In the United States, all states except New Hampshire require drivers to have liability insurance that covers bodily injury and property damage. This insurance helps pay for injuries and damages resulting from a car accident, including those suffered by the other driver and their passengers.

Depending on the state, you might also need other types of auto insurance, such as:

  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
  • Personal injury protection (PIP)
  • Medical payments coverage

While comprehensive and collision coverage are not mandated by any state, many lenders require them for vehicle financing. In such cases, they may also ask for gap insurance to cover the difference between what you owe on the vehicle and its current market value. Learn more about what type of car insurance is required by law in Kansas.

Types of Car Insurance Coverage

Let’s look at the different types of auto insurance that you might have for your vehicle.

  • Liability Insurance: Liability coverage is legally required in most U.S. states for driving a car. This type of insurance can help pay for damages related to injuries and property damage to others if you are found legally responsible due to a covered accident.
  • Comprehensive Insurance: Comprehensive insurance coverage protects you against problems like theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and other damages that result from something other than a collision.
  • Gap Insurance: This covers the “gap” between what you owe and how much your car is worth. It’s valuable when you first buy your vehicle.
  • Collision Insurance: Collision insurance pays for your damages if you are not at fault in an accident.
  • Uninsured Motorist Insurance: Uninsured motorist insurance protects you and your vehicle from accidents caused by uninsured drivers or hit-and-run situations. This coverage is often offered alongside underinsured motorist insurance.
  • Underinsured Motorist Insurance: Many drivers opt for the minimum liability coverage to save money, but this may not be enough in an accident. Underinsured motorist insurance helps you if you are in an accident with a driver whose insurance doesn’t cover all the costs.
  • Medical Payments Coverage: Medical bills after an accident can be high. Medical payment coverage can help pay for medical expenses related to a covered accident, no matter who is at fault.
  • Personal Injury Protection Insurance: Personal injury protection insurance can cover certain medical expenses and lost income from a covered accident. Depending on your policy limits, it may cover up to 80% of medical and related costs from the accident.

Comprehensive vs. Collision Insurance: How Do They Differ?

Some drivers wonder if they need both collision and comprehensive insurance for the Andover roads ahead. So, here are some things to consider:

  • How old is your car? Sometimes, it’s cheaper to repair the vehicle, while other times, it’s cheaper just to replace it.
  • How much do you drive? If you’re on the road in different conditions, then you might run into the need for comprehensive insurance. Lower mileage drivers in Maize may not.
  • Can you afford to buy a new car if it gets stolen? Comprehensive insurance can be a lifesaver if theft and vandalism are common where you drive.

How to Get Car Insurance Before Buying a Car?

While you might be able to buy a car without insurance, most dealerships require you to have coverage for your new vehicle before you can drive it off the lot. So, how to get car insurance before buying a car?

  1. Know Your Make and Model: Research and decide on the vehicle you want to buy.
  2. Gather Information About Your Vehicle: To get an insurance policy, you need to know the make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN), mileage, and your driving record. If you don’t have the VIN or mileage, you can provide the make, model, and year of the car you plan to buy (for example, a 2023 Ford F-150).
  3. Compare Insurance Quotes: Don’t just go with the first insurance company you find. Shop around for the best rates.
  4. Submit an Application: After choosing an insurance company, apply for your new car insurance policy. Many insurers let you complete the application online. If you don’t have details like the VIN, you can still get a quote, but you won’t be able to finalize your policy until you provide that information.
  5. Purchase Your Vehicle: Once you have proof of insurance or a company ready to cover you, you can go to the dealership and buy your new car.

Discuss Your Options at Don Hattan Dealerships

We’ve gone over the different types of car insurance coverage, but there’s plenty more to

discuss at Don Hattan Dealerships. Stop by Wichita to chat with our finance team, or contact us with your questions today, including how to get car insurance before buying a car from Don Hattan Dealerships. We can discuss your options and the 5 Ws of financing at our dealership.

 

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