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Your Quick Guide to Auto Insurance

While having auto insurance isn’t optional, there are actually many benefits to paying for insurance coverage for your vehicle. Your car is an asset, and it’s necessary for transportation. If it was damaged in a crash, you’d have to pay out of pocket for the repairs. Your insurance also offers liability protection in case you cause property damage or bodily injury while driving your vehicle.

There is no one-size-fits-all auto insurance policy. You may need full comprehensive and collision coverage and additional coverage options. But if your vehicle itself has little value, it might be enough to get liability coverage. Our team at Jayson Jones Insurance can help you get the policy that’s right for you, providing you with the coverage you need.

Comprehensive & Collision Coverage Auto Insurance

Besides the mandatory liability coverage, the two main parts of your car insurance policy are comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision coverage protects you in case you collide with another vehicle, stationary object or another vehicle collides with you. It also covers property damage to another car and bodily injury sustained by another driver or passenger.

Comprehensive coverage protects your asset from other types of damage. For example, if a tree branch falls onto your car or someone vandalizes or steals the vehicle, your comprehensive coverage will pay up to the limits of the policy. If you collide with an animal, it also activates comprehensive coverage. You must meet your deductible before insurance will cover comprehensive or collision coverage.

Additional Auto Insurance You May Need

Your auto insurance policy may also include additional coverage as needed. Here are some examples of what you can include in the policy:

Rental car coverage
Roadside assistance
Uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage (highly recommended)
Medical payments
Gap insurance
Accessories coverage

If you have other vehicles, you may not have to worry about car rental coverage. Otherwise, this type of coverage is extremely valuable if your vehicle is in the shop for days or weeks. Roadside assistance can cover emergency towing and even help you with a flat tire.

Uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage is legally required in many states. But even though it’s optional in Iowa, you shouldn’t skip it. If an uninsured / underinsured motorist causes an accident, you’re stuck paying the bills without this coverage. Finally, gap insurance protects you from paying the difference between the value of the car and the loan amount if the vehicle is totaled.

When to Drop Auto Insurance

While you can’t drop your auto insurance entirely, you can remove the optional coverage option. Since insurance only pays up to the current value of the car, it’s often economically prudent to drop car insurance to liability only for an older car you own outright . But if your car is worth several thousand dollars and you couldn’t afford that much in car repairs, keeping your car insurance is still your best option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Technically, you’re not legally required to keep the full coverage on your car after you pay off the loan in full. However, if you get into an accident or your car gets vandalized or stolen, you’re fully liable for all repair and replacement costs. Even if you have the means to replace your car, you might be better off keeping your insurance coverage and investing that money instead.

You can lower your insurance premium by increasing your deductible and removing any add-on policies you don’t need. You can also take advantage of multi-policy and good driver discounts. Some insurance companies reward long-standing customers with loyalty discounts. If you think you’re paying too much for car insurance, we can help you evaluate your alternatives.

When you get a car loan for your vehicle, you might owe more than the car is worth. Since your insurance policy only covers the car up to its current value, a totaled car might result in the loss of your vehicle and a remaining loan balance. Gap insurance will take care of the remaining loan amount if this happens.

Every state has different minimum requirements. In Iowa, motorists are merely required to carry minimum liability insurance that covers bodily injury to another and property damage of others. Our insurance agents can help you determine what other coverage you need besides the legal bare minimum.

Call Us to Get the Car Insurance You Need

At Jayson Jones Insurance, we’re here to help you find the right auto insurance policy that fits your needs. Contact us today to make an appointment.