Auto Insurance Consultant
Choosing the right auto insurance coverage can be difficult when policies, deductibles, limits, and exclusions vary between plans. At ATS Insurance Consultants, we help individuals and families understand their auto insurance options and make informed decisions based on their coverage needs, vehicle, budget, and personal circumstances.
As an independent insurance consultant, ATS can help you understand different coverage options and compare policies available through insurance providers and licensed insurance professionals.
What Is Auto Insurance?
Auto insurance is designed to provide financial protection against certain costs associated with owning and operating a vehicle. Depending on the policy, coverage may help with vehicle damage, injuries, property damage, theft, accidents, and other covered losses.
The amount and type of coverage you need can depend on factors such as your vehicle, driving situation, state requirements, assets, and desired level of financial protection.
Because insurance requirements and available coverage can vary by state, it is important to review the specific requirements that apply to you before selecting a policy.
Types of Auto Insurance Coverage
Auto insurance policies can include several different types of coverage. Understanding what each type is designed to cover can make it easier to compare your options.
Common types of auto insurance coverage include:
- Liability insurance
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
- Medical payments coverage
- Personal injury protection, where available
- Rental car coverage
- Roadside assistance
Not every policy includes all of these options, and coverage availability can vary by insurance provider and state.
Liability Coverage
Liability coverage is designed to help protect you when you are legally responsible for injuries to another person or damage to another person’s property resulting from a covered auto accident.
Liability insurance commonly includes:
Bodily Injury Liability
Bodily injury liability coverage may help cover certain costs when you are legally responsible for injuries to another person after a covered accident.
Property Damage Liability
Property damage liability may help cover certain damages to another person’s vehicle or property when you are legally responsible for a covered accident.
State minimum liability requirements differ, so it is important to understand the requirements where you live and consider whether additional protection may be appropriate for your circumstances.
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage is generally designed to help pay for covered damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision.
For example, collision coverage may apply when your vehicle is damaged after:
- Hitting another vehicle
- Hitting an object
- A single-vehicle accident
- Certain other covered collision events
Collision coverage generally comes with a deductible. You should review the deductible and coverage limits when comparing auto insurance policies.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage is generally designed to protect your vehicle against certain types of damage that are not caused by a collision.
Depending on the policy, covered events may include:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Fire
- Hail
- Falling objects
- Certain weather-related damage
- Animal-related damage
Like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage generally has a deductible. The specific events covered and exclusions will depend on the policy.
How ATS Helps You Compare Auto Insurance
At ATS Insurance Consultants, our goal is to make the insurance comparison process easier to understand.
We help you review important factors such as:
- Available coverage options
- Liability limits
- Deductibles
- Policy exclusions
- Coverage limits
- Vehicle-related risks
- Optional coverage
- Overall policy terms
Rather than focusing only on the premium, we encourage you to consider what the policy actually covers and whether the coverage aligns with your circumstances.
Our independent insurance consulting approach is designed to help you better understand your options before making an insurance decision.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing Coverage
Before selecting an auto insurance policy, consider asking:
- What coverage is required in my state?
- How much liability coverage should I consider?
- What deductible applies to my policy?
- Does the policy include collision coverage?
- Does the policy include comprehensive coverage?
- What situations are excluded from coverage?
- What optional coverage is available?
- How are claims handled?
- Are there coverage limits I should understand?
- How does this policy compare with other available options?
Understanding these details can help you compare policies based on more than just the monthly or annual premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does auto insurance cover?
Auto insurance coverage depends on the policy you choose. Depending on the coverage, it may provide protection for liability, vehicle damage, theft, accidents, injuries, and other covered events.
Do I need auto insurance?
Most states require drivers to maintain certain minimum levels of auto insurance or financial responsibility. Requirements vary by state, so you should check the rules applicable to your location.
What is the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage?
Collision coverage generally applies to covered damage resulting from a collision, while comprehensive coverage generally applies to certain non-collision events such as theft, vandalism, fire, weather-related damage, or animal-related damage.
What is a deductible?
A deductible is the amount you generally pay toward a covered claim before your insurance coverage contributes, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
How can I compare auto insurance options?
When comparing auto insurance, look beyond the premium. Review liability limits, deductibles, coverage types, exclusions, policy limits, and other terms that may affect your protection.
Can an insurance consultant help me understand my options?
Yes. An insurance consultant can help explain coverage options and policy differences so you can better understand what you are considering. ATS Insurance Consultants provides independent insurance guidance to help clients evaluate available coverage options.
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Book an Insurance Consultation
Need help understanding your auto insurance options?
Book an Insurance Consultation with ATS Insurance Consultants to discuss your coverage needs and learn more about available auto insurance options.
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