8 Auto Insurance Riders to Understand
Policy holders may believe their auto insurance carrier has an endless variety of add-on options, usually called riders, that can be added to their policies. However, the availability of these riders presents opportunities for savings and tailoring of each auto insurance policy. Experienced policy holders realize that auto insurance should be personalized. Every individual, every family and every company has different auto insurance requirements. Many states set minimum coverage requirements. These requirements vary from state-to-state.
Understanding the riders is the key to tailoring the policy holder’s coverage. A quick review of the 8 riders listed below should help policy holders better understand their auto insurance policies. While different insurance companies may have different names for each rider, the concept remains the same. Also they will help you to understand auto insurance quotes and making descision about choosing right auto insurance policy.
Liability Coverage – Liability coverage protects the policy holder against claims for injury or property damage in an accident where the policy holder is responsible. Liability coverage has limits which are set by the policy holder in conjunction with the insurance company.
Collision Coverage – Collision coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement to the policy holder’s vehicle if that vehicle is involved in an accident with another car or a stationary object.
Comprehensive Coverage – Comprehensive coverage provides protection for damages resulting from natural disasters, theft, vandalism, or similar occurrences.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage – This relatively new rider provides protection when the policy holder is involved in an accident with an under insured or uninsured motorist.
Medical Payment Coverage – This rider provides payment for medical expenses for the policy holder or the passengers in a covered accident. When other members of the policy holder’s family are driving the insured vehicle, this rider also provides protection.
Personal Injury Protection – This popular rider provides for payment of lost income, child care costs, medical expenses and related charges for the policy holder. This protection is not available is all states.
Limits and Deductibles – These amounts are set to establish the maximum limit of exposure the auto insurance carrier will pay for a covered accident and the amount of out-of pocket deductible the policy holder would pay for each covered accident. Policy holders must carefully review these limits.
Additional Coverage Options – These riders provide the nuisance items that are associated with an accident. Riders for sound system protection, rental car reimbursement, towing fees are among the most common of these riders.
As mentioned previously, each auto insurance company offers different riders to be added to the basic policy. These riders will impact the appeal of the policy and the cost of each policy.
Most policy holders prefer to begin customizing their auto coverage by beginning with the mandated coverage and selecting coverage for each vehicle. Policy holders should understand that one size does not fit all in the auto insurance industry. The policy specifications should be customized for each covered vehicle.