Automobile insurance standard coverage is the basic amount of insurance coverage that is required by law in order for an individual to legally operate a motorized vehicle. You can simply it even further with the blanket statement as being the mandatory amount of auto insurance coverage a driver must possess.
The most important part of anyone’s car insurance policy is the liability coverage. This coverage protects the consumer against the cost of damages and injury that is a direct result of that same consumer if they are the cause of a vehicular accident. For instance if you’re driving down the road and accidentally run into another person’s car this insurance coverage will pay for the damages that result due to the accident.
The liability coverage is further broken down into two subsections. The first is bodily injury liability. This covers and personal injury inflicted by yourself upon others during a car accident. The second subsection is property damage liability. As you may have guessed this is your insurance protection against any damage you cause to another individuals property, usually their car.
Although coverage amounts can vary it is generally suggested that a good baseline of automobile insurance standard coverage should be 100/300/100. This can be read as $100,000 worth of bodily injury caused to another person, $300,000 towards bodily injuries for everyone involved and $100,000 for property damage. With rising medical costs and outrageous car prices this would be the absolute minimum insurance protection I would personally carry in my automobile insurance standard coverage. However, each state is different and you will need to check to see what their car insurance laws constitute as a minimum coverage amount.
If you are in a financial crunch and need a way to save money on your insurance policy try to avoid retaining only the minimum amount of coverage required by your state. Instead try raising your deductible amount (the amount you pay first in the event of an accident before your insurance company kicks in with its payment). You will find that by raising the amount $500 or $750 will significantly lower the monthly costs of your automobile insurance standard coverage.
Two other policies that exist include the medical payments insurance which provides for the immediate treatment of injuries sustained during an auto accident. Anyone riding in your vehicle to include yourself is covered, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. The second policy is commonly known as PIP or personal injury protection, is similar to medical payments coverage, but usually provides broader coverage. Many PIP policies provide compensation for lost wages, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering. Again you will need to check with your state insurance laws for further clarification if you are required to have this additional coverage.
Finally as a safety measure against law breaking individuals who illegally drive without insurance there is uninsured motorist insurance when the other driver has no liability coverage and underinsured motorist coverage which pays for the cost of your injuries that exceed the other driver’s coverage maximum. As before with the PIP coverage you will need to make sure whether or not your particular state requires these forms of coverage as part of their automobile insurance standard coverage.
By: Tim Gorman
There are several insurance companies that cater to all kinds of motorcycle insurance in California. They offer dozens of useful hints that save you a lot of dollars. If you want to buy motorcycle insurance, it is advisable to shop more than 25 top rated, best service insurance companies for the lowest premium. Additional discounts are given for being a safe rider, insuring more than one bike, and touring bikes. A bike owner is very likely to get a medical expense policy without any hospitalization insurance.
The coverage for motorcycle insurance is very different from that of an automobile insurance policy. Motorcycles give less protection than automobiles, so the chance of severe injuries is high. Motorcycle insurance serves to reduce a high percentage of money loss in accidents.
There are various types of motorcycle insurance coverage in California. Liability (bodily injury), property damage, uninsured or underinsured motorist, comprehensive, collision, and medical expenses are among them. If an accident occurs due to the fault of the motorcyclist, the liability coverage pays the injured person. According to California motorcycle insurance law, the insurance companies have to spend $15,000 per person for an injured person and $30,000 for all injured persons in a single accident. Property damage coverage will pay for the property that is damaged by your motorcycle. The law requires $5,000 for the destruction of property of others. Collision coverage requires comparatively large amount of deductible than that for standard bikes.
If an accident is caused by an uninsured person or those who do not have enough bodily injury coverage to satisfy your claim, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage will pay for you. It also meets your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and future damages. The coverage pays around $30,000 per person and $60,000 for all persons injured in any one accident. Comprehensive coverage pays for losses due to theft, flood and fire, while medical expenses coverage meets all medical expenses.
By: Eric Morris
Insurance laws and requirements can be complicated and vary from state to state. New York auto insurance is no exception to this statement. There are several different types of coverage that fall into the auto insurance category. Some of the coverage types are optional while others are required by state law.
Liability Coverage
Liability coverage is required in nearly every state. car insurance laws in New York require $25,000/$50,000/$10,000 in coverage. These amounts cover bodily injury liability per person/total bodily injury per accident/property damage per accident, respectively.
New York State is unique in that it requires double the bodily injury liability limits in the event the accident results in death, taking the limits to $50,000/$100,000.
Personal Injury Protection
Personal injury protection or PIP is required in NY, as well as several other states. It is an extended type of auto coverage that assists with medical costs and can cover lost wages and other miscellaneous charges.
Medical Coverage
New York is what is referred to as a “no-fault” state. All individuals that have auto insurance are required to have this coverage. This covers the insured’s medical costs, regardless of fault. There is some controversy over this type of coverage as it is generally expensive and is thought to create redundant coverage when the insured also has regular medical insurance.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is optional in some states but, required in NY. This coverage will cover the insured, up to the limits they have purchased, if they are in an accident caused by another driver and that driver is not insured or does not have sufficient insurance to cover the full liability. Another common case that this type of insurance is helpful is in the event of a hit and run.
Other New York Car Insurance Requirements
New York State requires that auto insurance remain in effect while a vehicle is registered, regardless whether or not the vehicle is being used. If a vehicle is not being used, New York State requires that plates are returned to the state to cancel the registration.
New York auto insurance law requires that New York drivers have insurance in the state, out of state insurance is not acceptable. This state also requires that the insurance must be in the same name as the registered owner. Neglecting to follow this requirement will result in a lapse of insurance and the registration will be suspended; the owners?driver’s license will also be suspended if the lapse exceeds 90 days.
By: John Hilaire