Auto Insurance
The right auto insurance policy can help get you back on the road quickly if your car is damaged or destroyed by accident, fire, theft, or other covered events. Your policy also provides protection against medical and legal expenses resulting from injury, loss of life, or property damage caused by an accident involving your vehicle.
An auto insurance policy is a contract between you and an insurance company. You pay a premium and, in exchange, the insurance company promises to pay for specific car-related financial losses during the term of the policy. Work with one of our experienced Account Managers to determine the best coverages for you.
What kind of insurance do I need?
To drive in some states (specifically the State of Washington), you must carry:
- Liability coverage - to pay for losses you cause others
- No-fault coverage - to pay you and your passengers for medical and related expenses caused by injuries from a car accident, regardless of who is at fault
- Both coverages. An example of this event would be getting in or out of a car, or being hit in a crosswalk.
Even in states where coverage isn’t required, drivers must, by law, be able to pay for losses they cause others. Having insurance is the simplest way for most people to comply. To finance a car, it is usually necessary to have insurance which covers damage of your vehicle or theft. This includes:
Collision
Collision insurance coverage pays for damage caused to your vehicle in an automobile accident, when you are "at fault". Standard collision coverage will pay for any repairs up to the fair market value of your car. Collision coverage usually comes with a deductible. It's the amount of money you pay toward repairs before your collision insurance kicks in. The higher the deductible you're willing to pay, the less the collision coverage will cost.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
Comprehensive coverage is very similar to collision coverage - the main difference is that comprehensive covers damage caused to your vehicle caused by any unknown party or "act of God". Vandalism, flood, hurricane, theft, windshield damage and fire are all events usually covered by comprehensive automobile insurance.
Like collision, comprehensive will pay up to the fair market value of your car (less your insurance deductible.) And although it's not legally required by any state, you will probably need it if your car is financed.