July 30, 2010

Two Types Of Auto Insurance Coverage That Are Not Always Necessary

State statutes mandate auto insurance coverage for all licensed drivers operating a motor vehicle. Insurance brokers and agents typically include a variety of coverage and benefits in the auto insurance quote; they include many extraneous and expensive coverage elements. Prospective clients, in an effort to be indemnified against all conceivable accidents and occurrences, accept the quote without consideration. Policyholders inadvertently increase their auto insurance invoice with nonessential rudiments that basically have little utility over the life of the policy. It is critical to be informed, aware, and well versed in auto insurance terminology in order to display sapience and profundity when analyzing the auto insurance quote.

First, unless the vehicle is new, comprehensive and collision insurance should be carefully evaluated to determine whether it is a sagacious investment. Collision coverage indemnifies against vehicular damages in an accident; comprehensive coverage provides liability protection against losses due to theft, natural disasters, or vandalism. However, the policyholder must ponder the cost of this auto insurance against its value. If the car is stolen, or damaged in an accident, comprehensive and collision insurance will not unequivocally replace the car. One reason insured maintain this coverage is based on a belief that the policy minimally will provide the down payment on a replacement vehicle; this is conjecture. Comprehensive and collision insurance will pay only “Blue Book” value rather than the owner’s perceived value of the vehicle. It does not consider the amount still owed on a loan, or inflates the value based on improvements unless stipulated on the policy data page. Compensation will be disbursed in accordance with the specific market value, less deductible, to the titleholder. If a vehicle is more than five years old, comprehensive and collision coverage is a fundamentally unnecessary, disposable entity that can constitute up to 40% of the premium. Therefore, in the event the car is destroyed, damaged, or stolen and the estimated compensation equals only a few premium payments or is minimal, this coverage is not an equitable expense.

Another unessential but costly auto insurance coverage is roadside assistance and towing. Many insured are not aware that although this benefit is included in the auto insurance quote, there is usually a “per incident” cost, and there are restrictions for member service providers or the service may not be covered. However, it substantially increases the auto insurance premium. There are travel associations specializing in roadside assistance and towing that are more reliable, accessible, and considerably less expensive.

Finally, auto insurance is required, necessary and provides immeasurable security and peace of mind. But insured should use sapience and knowledge by refusing inessential, expensive coverage.