Personal Insurance

Personal Auto Insurance — More Than Just the Legal Minimum

Auto insurance is required in nearly every state — but the minimum isn't always enough to protect you. We compare rates across multiple carriers to find the right coverage for your vehicles, your family, and your budget.

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What's in a Personal Auto Policy?

A personal auto policy bundles several distinct coverages. Understanding each one helps you make smart decisions about your limits and deductibles.

Liability Coverage

Pays for bodily injury and property damage you cause to others in an accident. Required in most states — but state minimums are often far too low to protect your assets in a serious accident.

Collision Coverage

Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident with another car or object, regardless of fault. Usually required by lenders if you finance or lease.

Comprehensive Coverage

Covers damage from non-collision events — theft, vandalism, hail, fire, flooding, and animal strikes. Also typically required by lenders.

Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist

Protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. One of the most important coverages given how many uninsured drivers are on the road.

Medical Payments / PIP

Pays medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. Required in no-fault states.

Roadside & Rental

Optional coverages that pay for towing, roadside help, and a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired after a covered loss.

Deep expertise in personal auto

We write personal auto across every state we serve and have strong relationships with standard, non-standard, and specialty auto carriers.

What affects your rate

  • Driving record and claims history
  • Age and years of experience
  • Vehicle make, model, and year
  • Annual mileage and primary use
  • Credit score (in most states)
  • Coverage limits and deductibles
  • Multi-policy and multi-vehicle discounts

Coverage Options Worth Knowing

Recommended

Gap Insurance

If your car is totaled and you owe more than it's worth, gap insurance covers the difference. Essential for new vehicles that depreciate quickly.

  • Covers loan/lease balance vs. ACV
  • Usually inexpensive to add
  • Required by some lenders
  • Valuable for new vehicles
Recommended

Higher Liability Limits

State minimums can be exhausted in a single serious accident. We recommend limits that actually protect your savings and assets.

  • $100K/$300K is a common starting point
  • Umbrella policy adds millions more
  • Match limits to your net worth
  • Required for some professional licenses

Non-Owner Auto Insurance

If you don't own a vehicle but regularly borrow or rent one, a non-owner policy provides liability coverage regardless of which vehicle you're in.

  • Frequent rental car users
  • Drivers who borrow others' vehicles
  • License reinstatement requirement
  • Maintains continuous coverage

Classic & Agreed Value

Standard policies pay depreciated value at total loss. Agreed value policies pay a pre-agreed amount, protecting the full value of your classic or collector vehicle.

  • No depreciation at claim time
  • Requires annual valuation
  • Mileage restrictions may apply
  • Specialty carriers for rare vehicles

SR-22 / FR-44 Filing

If your license has been suspended or you've had a DUI, many states require an SR-22 or FR-44 filing to reinstate driving privileges.

  • Certificate of financial responsibility
  • Filed directly with the DMV
  • Required for license reinstatement
  • Non-standard carriers available

Rideshare Coverage

If you drive for Uber or Lyft, your personal auto policy excludes you while the app is on. Rideshare endorsements fill the gap.

  • Phase 1 gap (app on, no passenger)
  • Required in many states
  • Inexpensive endorsement
  • Most major carriers now offer it

Common Questions

  • Every state sets its own minimums. Most require liability — but state minimums are often very low. A serious accident can easily exceed $30,000/$60,000 in damages, leaving you personally responsible for the rest. We recommend limits that actually protect your financial future.

  • Collision covers damage from hitting another vehicle or object. Comprehensive covers everything else — theft, vandalism, hail, fire, flooding, hitting an animal. Both are typically required by lenders.

  • Your deductible is what you pay before insurance kicks in. A higher deductible means a lower premium — but more out of pocket after a claim. Most people choose $500 or $1,000. Consider what you could comfortably pay in an emergency.

  • Possibly — it depends on the claim type, your history, and your carrier. Comprehensive claims often have less impact than at-fault accidents. We can help you think through whether a claim is worth filing.

  • Yes — a multi-vehicle policy typically offers a discount and the convenience of one renewal date. All vehicles must be owned or leased by you or household members.