You may need to understand the common types of coverage available on a car insurance policy if you’re shopping for auto insurance or buying a new car. The various types of car insurance coverage available will help protect you, your vehicle, your passengers, and your vehicle if you get involved in a car accident.

Car insurance coverage options available are personal insurance protections, medical payments coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and auto liability coverage. While some of these coverages are optional, some are mandatory, depending on where you live.

Therefore, you can get the necessary help to choose the right coverage for your situation when you understand what help you can get from each coverage and what is required in your state.

Personal Injury Protection

You will get personal injury protection only in some states. With personal injury protection, you can get help to pay for your medical expenses after an accident. Also, personal injury protection covers other costs incurred from injuries, including lost income and child care expenses. While it is optional in some states, personal injury protection is required in other states.

Medical Payments Coverage

Medical payments coverage will help pay for costs associated with injuries incurred while driving an insured vehicle. X-rays, surgery, hospital visits, and other payments are some of the covered costs of medical payments coverage. This coverage type is optional in some states while it is required in others.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage may help to replace or repair your car (minus your deductible and up to its actual cash value) if you hit an object like a fence or involved in an accident with another vehicle. Though your vehicle’s lender or leaseholder may require collision coverage, it is typically optional.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive may help cover damage to your vehicle from situations such as vandalism, hail, fire, or theft. Comprehensive coverage may also help pay to replace or repair your vehicle if a covered peril damages your car. The expenses you will use to take care of things before you get reimbursed by your insurer for a covered claim is a deductible associated with comprehensive coverage. If you’re paying off your vehicle or leasing, your lender may require comprehensive coverage. Typically, comprehensive coverage is optional.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured coverage will help you pay for your medical bills and also repairs your vehicle in some states if a driver with no insurance policy hits you. You will get help from underinsured motorist coverage when an underinsured driver hits you. The underinsured driver has limits in their liability to cover your resulting medical bills even with their car insurance. While it’s optional to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in some states, others require it

Liability Coverage

In most states, auto liability coverage is compulsory. Drivers must legally purchase at least the minimum amount of liability coverage set by state law. There are two components of liability coverage, and they are:

• Property damage liability. You can pay for damages caused on someone’s property when you’re driving.
• Bodily injury liability. If you cause the accident, this will help pay for costs related to the injuries of another person.

If you or someone close to you is involved in an accident the caused personal injuries, the law firm of Hutchison & Tubiana has obtained significant settlements for their clients and will fight to get you the deserved compensation for your loss.