Not all car insurance policies are the same. Do you know what you are actually buying when purchasing car insurance? At Hennessey, Thames & Leavitt Insurance Agency in Vickburg, MS, we help our customers understand the value of their car insurance policy.
When you go to a restaurant you get a menu, right? The menu usually lists the meals and other side options—there may even be a section for specialty drinks. Unfortunately, car insurance quotes don’t come with a menu. For our discussion, I won’t call it a menu but a check list rather for car insurance. This check list will help you think through your situation and help build a customized car insurance program.
A solid car insurance policy includes adequate liability limits that include uninsured motorist liability, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, roadside assistance, and rental car coverage. Would you like fries with that? All joking aside, let’s run through this list, define the terms, and explain how they apply to car insurance.
Liability Limits
This is the pool of money available for injuries or property damage that you cause with your vehicle. The liability limit is usually capped and separated by bodily injury and property damage. This means your policy will only pay a certain amount for any one person’s injuries and for their property damage. There is also a limit to pay for your injuries and property damage if the other party doesn’t have insurance or enough car insurance. This is called uninsured motorist liability. The liability limits are the least expensive part of the car insurance policy. You should purchase a high limit—the purpose of this coverage is to protect you from financial ruin. To further protect yourself, you can purchase an Umbrella policy to give additional liability coverage.
Comprehensive Coverage
This term is also known as Other Than Collision. Comprehensive gives coverage for damages to your vehicle from glass breakage, theft, vandalism, hitting an animal, flood, falling objects (ex: hail, tree limb), fire, wind and lightning. A deductible usually applies.
Collision Coverage
This also gives coverage for damage to your vehicle. If you hit a fixed object like a light pole, tree, or fence collision coverage will pay to fix the vehicle. It also gives coverage if you collide with another vehicle. A deductible will apply.
Roadside Assistance
It’s name says it all. This is coverage if your vehicle is disabled for a mechanical reason and not an accident. If you have a flat tire, need a tow, run out of gas, or lock your keys in your car, roadside coverage sends someone to help you. This is a very inexpensive coverage and can come in handy in a pinch.
Rental Car Coverage
This coverage pays for the use of a rental car if your car has a covered loss. For example, if you carry comprehensive coverage and you hit a deer, the policy will pay for your vehicle to be repaired. While it’s being repaired you will need a vehicle. This coverage pays for you to have a rental car while yours is in the shop. This coverage is usually limited to 30 days.
Contact Us
Hennessey, Thames & Leavitt in Vicksburg also wants to make sure you are well versed in car insurance. Use this quick reference guide when buying car insurance or call to speak to one of our auto insurance professionals. We are available five days a week from 8 to 4:45. You can contact Hennessey, Thames & Leavitt at 601-636-5560 or stop by at 1001 Belmont Street Vicksburg, MS 39180. You can also reach us at our website leavit.com/vicksburg
