6 Things That You Probably Don’t Know About Your Auto Insurance

1. Coverage for your pet

Most people know that auto insurance covers the medical bills of the passengers and driver. What you don’t know is that your pet is likely to be considered a family member. If your pet is injured when you are driving, you should ask your insurer whether they cover your pet’s bills. Some auto insurance policies will pay up to $1,000 in veterinary bills. This coverage is not provided by all companies. So you need to compare policies before buying auto insurance; especially if you often travel with pets.

2. Your belongings are not covered

All the possessions you carry in your car are not covered by your auto insurance policy. Even the most comprehensive policies won’t cover your personal belongings. However, you will be compensated for any damage sustained by your vehicle. To avoid losing valuable items unnecessarily, you should refrain from carrying expensive items in your car. If you simply cannot do without these items, consider having them insured. You can do this by purchasing a home insurance rider.

3. Protection from careless drivers

Hit-and-run drivers are everywhere. Most auto insurance policies offer protection from careless drivers. You can confirm this by checking under the ‘uninsured and underinsured motorists’ provision in your policy. If you are concerned that the coverage is not enough, you can add to it by increasing your premiums.

4. When you lend your car to a friend, it’s still covered

Most drivers worry about lending their vehicles to other people. “Will I have to pay out-of-pocket if someone else wrecks my car?” This concern is enough to make you hold on to your keys. Fortunately, your vehicle is still covered even if you are not behind the wheel. However, you should reconsider lending your car to irresponsible drivers; too many claims mean higher premiums for you.

5. Damage from terrorism may be covered by comprehensive coverage

Most Americans live in fear of terrorism; particularly those who live in major cities. Their main fear is for personal safety, but others also agonize about what would happen if their vehicles got wrecked in a terrorist attack. Fortunately, an auto policy that is truly comprehensive would cover your car if such an event were to occur. If you have questions, review the terms of your policy with your agent.

6. You probably have some protection from lawsuits

Many drivers are terrified at the prospect of facing lawsuits. The cost of hiring a lawyer is also a major concern. The silver lining is that, if you get sued for something that’s covered by your policy, your insurer will provide a lawyer. If the other party wins the lawsuit, the damages will be covered by your policy.