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The Rundown on Car Insurance Coverage Levels

When getting a new car insurance quote (or revisiting your current policy coverage), it might be tempting to choose coverage levels that result in the lowest monthly bill. But if paying for insurance equates to paying for peace of mind, it might be worth it in the long term to add additional protection. Read on for a breakdown of various coverage options and how to choose the right levels for your needs.

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Liability
This is the minimum coverage level required for most U.S. drivers. If you are at-fault in an accident, your insurance policy will cover vehicle damage and/or bodily injuries to the other party (at the levels you choose). Each state has minimum required liability limits, but you might consider purchasing a policy with higher limits to ensure you’re better protected, even if your policy might cost a bit more. If the damage caused in an accident exceeds your coverage limits, you could be held responsible for the remainder of the costs.

Comp & Collision
In addition to liability coverage, you can elect to add comprehensive and/or collision insurance, often known as “full coverage.” Comp and collision coverages are technically separate but are often discussed together. With collision coverage, in the event that you’re in an accident, your insurance policy will cover damage to your car (per the terms of the policy). Comprehensive coverage means you are covered if anything happens to your car where no one is at fault (per the terms of the policy) like a tree falls on it or there is weather damage. If you often park your car outside, this could be an important add-on to your policy. Keep in mind that the lower the deductible you choose, the higher the premium might be, but also the less you will have to pay if something happens.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Medical Payments
PIP will protect you (and your passengers) against personal injury by covering medical expenses. In some states, PIP is a “no fault” coverage which means that you will still be covered even if you are determined to be at fault. Note that PIP coverage varies based on state, and if it isn’t available, then you’ll likely have the option to choose Medical Payments coverage. Both PIP and Medical Payments coverage are similar, though PIP typically provides a much broader spectrum of coverage. Medical Payments usually covers only medical bills for you and your passengers, whereas PIP will often extend to cover additional things like income loss, funeral expenses and essential services.

Roadside Assistance
In addition to getting access to an on-call tow truck, roadside assistance can also provide you with flat tire changes, battery jump starts, locksmith services and more. If you love road trips, this might be a smart coverage for you! At Metromile, adding roadside assistance is typically much cheaper than using an external company like AAA.

If you don’t drive much, we’ve found that customers are saving a ton of money after switching to pay-per-mile insurance. That means that you can get all of the coverage needed to give you peace-of-mind, and still save money. To see how much you could save, get a quick quote now.