Buying Car Insurance: Do You Really Need Optional Coverage
Purchasing car insurance is a task that is regulated by law. However, the law only requires that your auto insurance policy provides liability coverage. All of the other types of coverage that are offered for you to purchase are considered optional coverage. If you are like many people, you may find yourself struggling to determine whether or not you really need these additional coverage options. Taking a moment to learn more about the protection that each of these options provides can help you to make this important decision and ultimately ensure you end up with a car insurance policy that is well suited to your needs.
Option #1: Collision & Comprehensive Coverage
Collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage are also referred to as full coverage. This is because this coverage option can help to ensure that you are financially protected in almost all situations that could result in damage to your vehicle. For instance, if you are at fault for causing an accident, collision coverage will pay to have your vehicle repaired or even pay the full value of your vehicle if it cannot be repaired. Comprehensive coverage can also benefit you by covering the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it is ever damaged in by a natural disaster or if it is ever stolen. Since the maximum amount this type of coverage can pay out is equal to the value of your vehicle, the more valuable your vehicle is, the more likely you are to benefit from adding this type of coverage to your car insurance policy.
Option #2: Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage
There are far too many drivers on the road who either do not carry any car insurance or who do not carry enough coverage to cover all costs associated with a major accident. If you are ever involved in an accident with one of these individuals, you may find it difficult or even impossible to recover damages. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage provides you with an alternate way to get the compensation you want. This is because this type of optional coverage allows you to file a claim against your own car insurance policy even though you were not at fault for causing the accident.
Option #3: Roadside Assistance Coverage
Being stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire or running out of gas several miles from the nearest fuel station can be a stressful situation for anyone. By adding roadside assistance coverage to your auto insurance policy you can ensure that you are not alone in these stressful situations. This is because this type of coverage can help ensure that you have access to the help you need if anything goes wrong while you are on the road.
