Auto Insurance Terms You Need to Know
Understanding any kind of insurance policy can feel complicated. As independent insurance agents, we understand that most of the people we serve don’t have the extensive knowledge of the insurance industry we do.
For that reason, at Link Hellmuth Insurance we are intentional to thoroughly explain all the insurance options available to you.
Starting with auto insurance in Springfield, Ohio, we are here to walk you through the terms you will want to be familiar with when shopping for an affordable and quality auto insurance policy.
Car Insurance deductible- Your deductible is the amount of money you will be responsible to pay out of your pocket before your insurance policy kicks in to cover the rest of your claim. The amount of your deductible will vary depending on your policy.
Typically a car insurance deductible can range from $0 to $2,000. Keep in mind, that your premium and deductible price usually go together. If you have a lower deductible you likely have a higher premium and vice versa.
Car Insurance Premium- Your premium is the amount you pay (usually monthly, every 6 months or yearly) to your insurer in order to receive coverage and have that insurance provider process and pay your claims according to your policy.
Bodily Injury Liability- This type of insurance coverage protects you if you cause an accident that injured or killed someone. This coverage will help fund your legal defense and judgments against you. It can also pay for lost wages or medical expenses for the person you injured.
It should be noted that bodily injury liability does not cover you or anyone else in your car who may have been injured. See medical payments coverage for more on that.
Collision Coverage- This auto insurance policy pays out if you damage your car by hitting another vehicle or object.
Comprehensive Coverage- This coverage protects you when something other than a collision damages your car. This could include broken windows, falling objects, animals, natural disasters, storm damage, or theft.
Property Damage Coverage- This coverage pays out if your car damages another person’s vehicle or property.
No-Fault Insurance- This type of insurance will help cover your medical bills should you get injured in a car accident regardless of who is at fault.
Medical Payments Coverage- This coverage will help cover your medical bills or funeral costs should you get injured or die in a car accident. It will also cover any passengers who were injured in your car.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage- This coverage protects you in the event you are in a collision with a driver who doesn’t have any liability coverage. When you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, it is likely you may end up paying for the repair or medical expenses out of your own pocket unless you have uninsured motorist coverage.
Gap Insurance- Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on a financed or leased vehicle and what your insurer will pay you if someone steals or totals it.
Working With an Auto Insurance Agent in Springfield, Ohio
We know, this is a long list of terms. Don’t worry, there won’t be a test. We are always available to you as a resource and guide in your Auto insurance shopping experience. We will help you find the right coverage for your individual needs and concerns at an affordable price.