One of the most common questions asked by consumers looking to choose auto insurance coverage is how much coverage should I purchase. While every individual is different, there are a few factors that most consumers should consider.

 

It is important to note that most states require all vehicles that use public roadways to be insured. Each state usually has basic requirements for auto insurance, such as having liability insurance in case you damage someone else’s property or injured someone with your vehicle. Adding extra liability coverage should be considered if your state limit is very low. Usually 100K bodily injury with a total of 300K for an entire collision at minimum is advised. If you have assets worth over 300K, you can choose to purchase more insurance to protect you from personal financial loss.

If you lease or have a loan out on a vehicle, you will likely need additional insurance as well. For instance, vehicles on a lease or that have a lien require the owner to not only have the basic state required coverage but also have collision coverage and in some cases comprehensive coverage to protect against financial loss on the vehicle. This way if the car is damaged or totaled, the vehicle will be covered and the bank or lien holder will not have to worry about a loss.

It is also important to consider the different types of collision and comprehensive insurances policies available. For instance, some policies don’t guard against floods, hail or hurricanes. If you live in an area that is prone to these events, you should look into purchasing a policy with these types of added coverage. If you have expensive audio or visual equipment in your vehicle such as GPS, sound system or multi media system, you should make sure that these assets are covered, and if not look into purchasing extra insurance for these assets.

Deductibles are another thing to consider when choosing how much coverage is necessary. For instance, deductibles can vary, usually from zero deductible, $250, $500, $1k, etc. A deductible is the amount that you are responsible before your auto insurance covers you from loss. For instance, if you have $400 in damage to your vehicle from a collision, but have a $500 deductible collision policy, you will be responsible for all damages. If you have a $250 deducible, you would be responsible for the first $250 and the insurance company would pick up the remaining $150.

Usually the lower the amount of deductible you have, the more expensive the policy can cost. However, for someone that might not have $500 or $1K on hand for damages, a lower deductible might be an attractive option.