Here are some simple explanations of the coverages provided under a personal auto policy (PAP):
Liability Coverage – Bodily Injury and Property Damage
The Bodily Injury (BI) and Property Damage (PD) coverage on your personal auto policy protects you in the event you injure another person (driver and/or their passengers) or cause damage to their vehicle or property (mailbox, fence, etc.).
You can purchase liability coverage as split limits or as a combined single limit.
Split Limits – split limits are shown as three numbers (1/2/3). They are “split” per person and per accident:
- bodily injury – per person
- bodily injury – per accident
- property damage
Example: 250,000 (bodily injury – per person)/ 500,000 (bodily injury – per accident)/100,000 (property damage)
Combined Single Limit – shown as one number. Combines bodily injury and property damage limits; therefore this limit is the total payout of all damages resulting from any one accident.
Example: 500,000 Combined Single Limit
Fun Fact 1: New York State requires all drivers to carry a minimum of 25,000 per person/50,000 per accident/25,000 property damage. We do not recommend these limits as the payout from bodily injury and property damage will likely (far) exceed these limits in the event of a remotely serious accident.
**NYS Minimum Required Limits: 25,000/50,000/25,000**
We ask you to simply think about how many cars you see on the road valued at over $25,000 and how expensive medical bills are today... your auto insurance limits are not the thing you should cut back on to save money! You will highly regret it if you are ever involved in an accident!
Fun Fact 2: To qualify for umbrella coverage with our carriers (and most carriers), drivers are required to carry a minimum of 250,000/500,000/100,000 or 300,000 CSL.
Personal Injury Protection Coverage or “No-Fault Insurance”
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is available in certain states, one being New York State. This coverage protects you in the event you are disabled or unable to work due to an auto accident. This coverage also extends to your passengers. We would always recommend maxing out your PIP limit.
Medical Payments Coverage
Medical Payments coverage protects you regardless of who is at fault. It extends to the cost of reasonable and necessary medical care needed due to an accident. This coverage is typically limited to a time period after the accident – usually 3 years.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your passengers against the damages you are legally entitled to receive for bodily injury or property damage when the “at fault” driver doesn’t have insurance or if his/her limits aren’t adequate.
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage protects your vehicle if it overturns or collides with another vehicle or object (guard rail, building/structure, pothole, tree, etc.). Any payout is subject to your deductible.
Example: You are involved in a crash or “collision” with another car that results in $10,000 in damage to your vehicle – both drivers are at fault. Your deductible is $500. Your policy will pay $9,500.
$10,000-$500=$9,500
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle if it is damaged by something other than a collision – fire, theft, hail, vandalism, flood, hit an animal (deer), tree falls, etc. Any payout is subject to your deductible.
Example: A tree falls on your car and causes $5,000 in damage. Your deductible is $1,000. Your policy will pay $4,000.
$10,000-$500=$9,500
Rental Reimbursement
Rental Reimbursement coverage will reimburse you for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. This coverage is limited to 30 days and subject to the maximum per day amount on your policy.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside Assistance coverage covers labor costs incurred at the place where your vehicle is disabled and the towing costs.
