What is car insurance?
Car insurance covers damage to your vehicle and protects you financially if you’re liable for someone else’s injuries or damages. Auto insurance can also pay for medical bills if you or your passengers are injured in an accident or you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Your policy protects you up to certain limits,…
Car insurance covers damage to your vehicle and protects you financially if you’re liable for someone else’s injuries or damages. Auto insurance can also pay for medical bills if you or your passengers are injured in an accident or you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Your policy protects you up to certain limits, agreed upon by you and your insurer.
Do I need car insurance?
Auto insurance is required in all states except New Hampshire (New Hampshire still requires financial responsibility if you cause an accident, so you’ll want to be properly insured). Driving without insurance can result in a fine, license suspension, or even jail time. Progressive, and most other insurers, will ensure any policy you select meets your state’s requirements.
What does auto insurance cover?
Auto insurance covers a variety of mishaps that can occur on or off the road. Although coverages may vary by state, these are the standard coverages on most auto insurance policies:
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Liability
Auto liability coverage is required in 49 states. If you’re found at fault in an auto accident, liability coverage can pay for damage to other vehicles, damage to objects, injuries to other drivers and their passengers, and lawsuits if you’re sued due to an accident.
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Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage protects against damage to your car from events beyond your control, including theft, windshield and glass damage, vandalism, falling trees and more.
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Collision
Collision coverage covers your vehicle if it overturns or collides with another vehicle or object, including trees, guardrails, and fences.
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Medical Payments/Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Medical payments coverage is offered in most states, while personal injury protection is a broader coverage that is available only in the states that require it to be offered. Both cover medical bills if you or your passengers are injured in a car accident (regardless of fault).
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Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UIM) and Property Damage (UMPD)
UIM can pay for injuries caused to you and your passengers when you’re hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough coverage. UMPD can pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
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Other optional coverages
Includes rental car reimbursement, loan/lease payoff (also known as gap coverage), and roadside assistance.
Explore more auto insurance coverage options with Progressive.
