Car Liability Insurance is required by state law in every state of the U. S. This insurance is designed to pay for the damage that you cause to other vehicles, property or persons in an automobile accident. Each of the states has their own requirement for liability insurance. Some states have a very minimal amount of insurance that is required, while others have tried to update their requirements to closer meet the actual costs of an accident.
In addition to being required by your state’s laws, liability insurance also protects other properties that you may own. When damage is done or injuries are caused in an accident, if your insurance coverage is found lacking, you can be held personally responsible and your personal property can have liens placed against it. These liens can prevent your from getting a loan or must be satisfied before the property can be sold.
Many times you will hear liability referred to using three numbers such as 25/50/25. The first 25 refers to the amount of money the policy would pay for medical expenses and other personal injury expenses ($25,000) for any one person that was hurt in an accident. The 50 is the maximum amount payable to all persons hurt in the accident ($50,000) and the second 25 is what the policy would pay for property damage ($25,000).
The requirement in most states is too low to give adequate protection to your personal and real property. Often you can purchase much more adequate insurance at a very small difference in price. The insurance agent should be able to give you a very good idea about the policy that would best suit your needs.
To find out how much insurance is required in your state you should talk with the state’s DMV. This department can give you both the amount of required insurance as well as the penalty for allowing your insurance to lapse. Some states are requiring that your insurance company make a report to the DMV any time that your insurance lapses at all.
States are developing very stiff penalties for persons caught driving without insurance. In some states your vehicle registration can be canceled and in other states your actual driver’s license is canceled. While the first offense may have a lower penalty, if your insurance is canceled a second or third time, it can cost you dearly. Your vehicle can be impounded for 180 days and you can be billed for the storage fees on the third offense in some states.
Persons needing to purchase liability insurance can request quotes using the internet. You can often get instant quotes for the insurance you need. By comparing the quotes, you can find the best coverage for your vehicle and the best possible price for your insurance.
Learning to drive defensively is one of the best ways to lower the price you pay for liability insurance. Defensive driving will keep you from having accidents and will also keep you from having traffic tickets. If you do not already drive defensively, then you should consider taking a defensive driving class to learn some new techniques.
Canada’s largest independent insurance brokerage firms delivering car insurance Kitchener and home insurance London solutions in your community and around the world for over 70 years and offices in London, Cambridge, Waterloo and Toronto.
Tags: auto, auto insurance, automobile, business, car, car insurance, consulting, family, financial, health, home, insurance, life, quota