General Liability Insurance: Covers injuries/deaths and property damage resulting from an accident. This is the most important coverage and is commonly required by law in many states. Each state has its own minimum liability requirement. Some insurance companies offer "split-limit" coverage (each part of the coverage is split into its own limit, i.e. $15,000 max. per person injured, $5,000 for property, etc.) while others offer "combined single limit" (the entire combined coverage for bodily and physical damages under one limit, i.e. $100,000 total). Typically, liability is presented in three numbers (each representing dollars in thousands):
Collision Insurance: Covers damage to your own vehicle in an accident. Collision is generally optional
unless your car is financed or leased in which case your bank or credit union, bank or lender will require collision coverage as a condition of the loan in order to protect their interests.
Comprehensive Insurance: Covers damage to your vehicle other than collision, such as fire, flood, break-ins,
vandalism or theft, break-ins, collisions with animals, and fire. It also covers natural disasters like earthquakes, hail, hurricanes and floods (unless the vehicle is overturned, in which it's considered a collision). Like collision, comprehensive insurance is usually required if your car is leased or financed.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance: Covers you if you are injured in an accident with others
who themselves carry insufficient or no liability insurance. With the surprising number of such drivers out there, it's a good idea to have some. Some states require UIM/UM, so contact your Agent.
