Your car is part of your daily life, and an accident can happen in an instant. Auto insurance protects you financially whether you cause an accident, are the victim of one, or your vehicle is damaged, stolen, or vandalized.
Key Coverages
- Liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage you cause to others
- Collision coverage for damage to your vehicle from an accident
- Comprehensive coverage for theft, vandalism, weather, and animal-related damage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you’re hit by a driver with insufficient insurance
- Medical payments or personal injury protection for you and your passengers
- Rental reimbursement and roadside assistance options
- New car replacement or GAP Insurance for newer cars
How It Responds
Example: You’re rear-ended by an uninsured driver, damaging your vehicle and causing a minor injury. Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your medical bills and vehicle repairs since the at-fault driver has no insurance of their own.
Who Needs This
Any vehicle owner — required by North Carolina law, and essential for protecting both your vehicle and your finances.
Additional Information
Auto liability limits are described in terms of: per person / per accident / property damage.
So typically you will see them described as $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 as an example. You can see how quickly you can exhaust the limits of your underlying auto policy if an accident causes significant bodily injury or property damage.
Be sure to ask for all available discounts like “good student” discount, “away at college with no car” discount, and in South Carolina “defensive driver class” discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much auto liability insurance should I carry?
The appropriate limits depend on your assets, income, household drivers, driving exposures, and umbrella requirements. A serious accident can quickly exceed modest liability limits.
What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
This coverage can protect you when an at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient liability insurance to cover a covered loss. The exact structure depends on state law and the policy.
Does my auto policy cover a child away at college?
Coverage depends on where the student lives, whether they have a vehicle, how it is titled, and the policy terms. Families should review college arrangements with their agent.
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision?
Collision generally covers damage from an accident or impact, while comprehensive generally covers other physical damage such as theft, vandalism, weather, falling objects, or animal strikes.