Auto Insurance Primer


What is auto insurance? Auto insurance (or car insurance, motor insurance) is insurance consumers can purchase for cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Its primary use is to provide protection against losses incurred. By buying auto insurance, depending on the type of coverage purchased, the consumer may be protected against:

* The cost of repairing the vehicle following an accident

* The cost of purchasing a new vehicle if it is stolen or damaged beyond economic repair

* Legal liability claims against the driver or owner of the vehicle following the vehicle causing damage or injury to a third party.

Liability insurance covers only the last point, while comprehensive insurance covers all three. Even comprehensive insurance, however, doesn't fully cover the risk associated with buying a new car. Due to the sharp decline in value immediately following purchase, there is generally a period in which the remaining car payments exceed the compensation the insurer will pay for a "totaled" (destroyed, or written-off) vehicle. So-called GAP insurance was established in the early 1980's to provide protection to consumers based upon buying and market trends. The escalating price of cars, extended term auto loans, and the increasing popularity of leasing gave birth to GAP protection. GAP waivers provide protection for consumers when a "gap" exists between the actual value of their vehicle and the amount of money owed to the bank or leasing company. In some countries including New Zealand and Australia market structures mean that people are more likely to buy a nearly new car than a new car so this is less of a problem.

In the United States, liability insurance covers claims against the policy holder and generally, any other operator of the insured's vehicle, provided they do not live at the same address as the policy holder and are not specifically excluded on the policy. In the case of those living at the same address, they must specifically be covered on the policy. Thus it is necessary for example, when a family member comes of driving age they must be added on to the policy. Liability insurance generally does not protect the policy holder if they operate any vehicles other than their own. When you drive a vehicle owned by another party, you are covered under that party's policy. Non-owners policies may be offered that would cover an insured on any vehicle they drive. This coverage is available only to those who do not own their own vehicle.

Generally, liability coverage does extend when you rent a car. However, in most cases only liability applies. Any additional coverage, such as comprehensive policies, i.e. "full coverage" may not apply. Full coverage premiums are based on, among other factors, the value of the insured's vehicle. This coverage may not apply to rental cars because the insurance company does not want to assume responsibility for a claim greater than the value of the insured's vehicle, assuming that a rental car may be worth more than the insured's vehicle. Some states, such as Minnesota, may require that it extend to rental cars. Most rental car companies offer insurance to cover damage to the rental vehicle. In some regions, the costs associated with not having access to the vehicle ("Loss of Use") is also covered.

More auto insurance information at auto insurance.



RELATED LINKS

Accept Credit Card Payment Online

Accept credit card payment online and increase sales by 400% or more.... Find out how ...

 

Advanta Credit Cards

Apply for an Advanta credit card with 0% APR, rewards and cash back.

 

American Express Credit Card Application

Apply online for a new AMEX rewards credit card. See special offers.

 

Best Airline Miles Credit Card

Earn Frequent Airline Miles for Every Dollar Spent with No Annual Fee.

 

Best Cash Back Credit Card

Earn Up to 5% Cash Back on Every Day Purchases. Apply for Yours Today.

 

Best Reward Credit Card

Compare & Apply for the Best Reward Credit Cards with Up to 5% Cash Back Rewards and more.

 

Business Credit Card Online Application

Compare Business Credit Cards from All Major Banks. Apply Online Now

 

Chase Credit Card Application

Find Credit Card Applications from Chase & Apply Online in Seconds.

 

Citi Credit Card Application

Citibank offers credit cards that have 0% APR balance transfer options, Rewards, Cash Back, and much more

 

Credit Card Application For Bad Credit

Great card for bad credit just got better. 8.9% APR, instant decision.

 

Credit Card Balance Transfer Deal

Great Rates: Balance Transfers and Purchases. Capital One Credit Card

 

Debit Cards

Control Your Spending with a debit card. Guaranteed Approval.

 

Discover Credit Card Offer

Discover Credit Card Offers with 0% for 12 months, no fees & cash back.

 

Gas Credit Card Application

Save money at the gas pump with a new gas credit card. Apply now.

Fast Easy Payday Loan

Get the fast cash you need with an easy payday loan. Compare and apply

 

Hotel Rewards Credit Card

Earn Free Stays with a Hotel Rewards Credit Card. Apply Online Now.

 

HSBC Credit Card Application

Get 0% Intro APR, No Annual Fee, Great Service, Benefits. Apply Now.

 

Low Interest Credit Card List

Compare & Apply for Credit Cards w/ 0% Intro APR for Up to 15 Months

 

Master Card Application

Apply for MasterCard Credit Cards with 0% APR, Cash Back & No Fees.

 

No Annual Fee Credit Card

0% APR with No Annual Fee. Compare No Fee Credit Cards & Apply Online.

 

Online Car Loan Application

Loans and Refinancing for New and Used Cars. Online Approval.

 

Online Debt Consolidation Services

Consolidate your debts today - ease the strain of monthly bills.

 

Online Foreign Currency Trading

FOREX is a serious game. Play it with the pros. Start with just $50. The best trading platform available today. Start Trading and see why.

 

Online Mortgage Application

Apply online for a mortgage for your home. It's fast and easy. Great Rates!

 

Online Visa Credit Card Application

Compare & Apply for Visa Credit Cards with 0% APR and No Annual Fee.

 

Prepaid Credit Card

Get a Prepaid Credit Card with Free Direct Deposit. No Credit Check.

 

Shopping Reward Credit Card

Shopping Reward Credit Card. Fast Online Credit Card Application ... You have found the best shopping reward credit card site on the Internet!

 

Student Credit Card Application

Pay 0 Interest for 6 Months & Earn Rewards with a Student Credit Card.

 

Travel Rewards Credit Card

Compare Frequent Flyer Credit Cards Apply Now and Start Earning Miles.


MORE RESOURCES:

Account exceeds FDIC insurance limits? Try using CDARS
Newsday, NY - 7 hours ago
Except for bank deposits that don't exceed FDIC insurance limits, that is. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. insures individual depositors for up to ...
The Week Ahead: July 7-11 Washington Post
all 2 news articles


Health care system in need of triage
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 10 hours ago
For many years I was unable to receive health insurance after my COBRA plan expired from a state university job, and now my current insurance barely pays ...
When health insurance turns out not to be insurance at all The Keene Sentinel (subscription)
Maybe I’ll get better on my own Worcester Telegram
all 9 news articles


New York Times

Allstate: Brownsville has the safest drivers
Brownsville Herald, TX United States - 9 hours ago
According to Mellander, more than 12 percent of the city's population owns Allstate insurance. Three other cities on the Texas-Mexico border - Laredo, ...
Anchorage drivers crashing more often, insurer says Anchorage Daily News (subscription)
Chattanooga area road safety rank in good hands Chattanooga Times Free Press
Come to DC and wreck your car Seattle Post Intelligencer
East Valley Tribune - Arizona Daily Star
all 293 news articles


A major step for insurance access
Greenwich Time, CT - 9 hours ago
Phones were ringing off the hook in Hartford this week as the governor's new affordable health insurance program debuted. Thousands of residents wanted to ...
Not All Happy With Rell's Health Plan TheDay
Charter Oak Health Plan call center receives over 3000 calls in ... Stamford Plus Magazine
Charter Oak plan an experiment TheDay
all 7 news articles


Exclusions from insurance policy
Economic Times, India - 13 hours ago
Vehicle insurance policies cover losses caused to the vehicles. However, all losses are not covered under the insurance policy. The Insurance companies do ...


Adjusting policy can reduce cost of homeowners insurance
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - 11 hours ago
Ask your insurance agent to provide you with a written estimate for each home improvement and make sure some of the discounts don't offset each other. ...
New insurers finding a niche in Florida Tampabay.com
all 2 news articles


Motor insurance is not just a legal requirement
Economic Times, India - 13 hours ago
Valid question, you may say, but most customers choose to ignore an important component while purchasing a vehicle — motor insurance. They just consider it ...


Insurance services firm assets acquired
Bryan College Station Eagle,  United States - 3 hours ago
Insurance Services, effective Bryan Brown, vice president of the company, said he and others acquired the assets of Richard S. Smith & Associates -- a firm ...


Albert Lea Tribune

Security Insurance adds new personal lines agent
Albert Lea Tribune, MN - 15 hours ago
By Tribune staff | Albert Lea Tribune Security Insurance Agency announces the addition of Nicole Schumaker as a personal lines agent and customer service ...


Jamaica Gleaner

No wiggle room for insurance companies this time around!
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - 9 hours ago
Answer: I hope that your insurance brokers and/or insurers have come to their senses during the last three weeks. They have apologised and, more important, ...

Insurance - Google News

home page | article index | site map
Credit  |  Currency Trading  |  Debt Consolidation  |  Debt Relief  |  Insurance  |  Investment  |  Leasing  |  Loans  |  Mortgage and Refinance  |  Personal Finance  |  Real Estate  |  Stocks and Mutual Funds  |  Taxes

 

© Copyright 2006 - SmarteCredit.Com. All rights reserved