Copyright 2008 The Insurance Files
    When the time comes to start driving a vehicle, whether it be just after your 16th birthday party, graduation from high school, or just when you can afford to purchase a car, the first thing everyone will tell you is "make sure to get your car insured!". Well, just what is auto insurance? Auto insurance is a policy that is formed when you, the driver, make an agreement with an insurance company. The policy is in a lot of cases required by law in order to drive your vehicle on public streets. Auto insurance is not for what will happen while you are driving, but for what might happen. Having insurance is more of a safety net in case you are involved in an accident, in case a big storm puts dents in your car, in case you need medical care following a car accident. Having an auto insurance policy can also prevent you from receiving a ticket if you happen to

be pulled over by law enforcement if the state you reside in requires insurance by law. Car insurance offers peace of mind when out on the road, and although there are premiums, or costs, to carry insurance, the price of the coverage would only be a fraction of the cost that would be owed should an accident happen without coverage.

    There are several options to choose from when deciding the type of auto insurance you want or need. There are six primary types of private vehicle auto insurance, they are: Bodily Injury Liability, Property Damage Liability, Collision Coverage, Medical Payments Coverage, Uninsured Motorist Protection, and finally, Fully Comprehensive Auto Insurance.

    Bodily Injury Liability insurance will cover the payments for medical care and legal fees for an auto accident where you are at fault.

    Property Damage Liability insurance is required by law in nearly all states and will cover the cost of damage to the other vehicle(s) involved in an accident for which you are at fault, or legally responsible for.

    Depending on the value of your car, Collision Coverage may be needed. This coverage will pay for damages on your own vehicle if it is involved in an accident. A deductible must be met in most cases before damages are covered.

    Medical Payments Coverage does just what it says, covers medical payments. The medical expenses will be paid for you and any passengers you have, regardless of if you are at fault or if the other driver is at fault.

    Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection is a great insurance to have because there are millions of uninsured and underinsured drivers out there and you yourself are not able to control any of them on the road. This particular coverage will cover medical expenses for you and your passengers and in some cases damages to the vehicle also.

    Fully Comprehensive Auto Insurance is arguably the most common type of auto insurance, as well as the most expensive. This can be attributed to one main factor; most auto finance companies require this coverage if you make payments on a loan or have your car financed. Fully comprehensive covers basically everything mentioned previously as well as damages to your vehicle caused by fire, vandalism, acts of nature, theft as well as accidents involving animals.

    When looking into getting insurance by getting a free auto insurance quote, you have the option to selecting the best coverage for your situation.