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Since you’re a savvy driver, you likely have the legal amount of auto insurance required by your state — which is super important! But there are actually a number of optional car insurance coverages available to provide protection for situations you might not have thought about.
We’ve highlighted some additional car coverages to consider when crafting your auto policy, so you get a broader range of protection and greater peace of mind when you hit the road. Let’s take a look.
You might be wondering, “Is it legal to drive a car without insurance?” The short answer is no. Almost every single state requires a minimum amount of bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage in order for you to legally be behind the wheel. There are a few states that do not require a minimum amount of insurance, but they do have financial responsibility laws that require proof you have sufficient funds to pay damages and medical expenses if you cause an accident. Remember, auto insurance is designed to protect you financially from unexpected events, and having the right coverages in place is key to that protection.
You know that most states only require a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, so consider adding these coverages to your policy for fuller coverage.
It’s not something you think of until it happens — a breakdown on the side of the road. With 24-hour Emergency Roadside Assistance, you can drive confidently knowing, should you face the unexpected, you’ll have help to get back on the road. With this inexpensive add-on, a single call, any time, day or night, is all it takes to get you back on the road. Emergency Roadside Assistance can help with things like:
Learn More About Emergency Roadside Assistance >
On average, a car is in the repair shop for one to two weeks following an accident. But you still need to get around, and having to pay out-of-pocket for a rental can be expensive! Rental reimbursement coverage will help you pay for a rental vehicle while your car is in the shop. And a year of this coverage can cost less than a one-day car rental!
Learn More About Rental Reimbursement Coverage >
Lease/loan gap coverage is protection you may not have thought of, but it’s actually a really helpful coverage to have. If you’re in an accident and your vehicle is a total loss, your auto policy will generally pay you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. That’s great, however, the value of the vehicle can be less than what you might actually owe on your lease or loan, and can leave you with an extra bill that you’ll owe to the loan or lease company. Lease/loan gap coverage helps pays the difference, or the gap, to help financially cover what you owe to the loan or lease company.
Learn More About Lease/Loan Gap Coverage >
Though car insurance is legally required in most states, many people get the behind the wheel with no insurance or too little of it. Having uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can help protect you from drivers who have no insurance or who have some insurance but their limits aren’t enough to cover all of your bills after an accident. If you got into an accident with an un- or underinsured motorist, unfortunately you’d likely be responsible for paying damages to your vehicle and any medical expenses. Having this coverage helps keep you protected.
Learn More About Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage >
Do you drive for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft? While the company you drive for probably offers liability coverage, it’s usually only while you’re logged into the app and matched with a rider. This leaves a gap in coverage during the time you’re logged in without a match and waiting for ride requests. Adding American Family’s rideshare coverage fills this gap by covering you from the moment your ridesharing app is turned on until you’ve been matched with a passenger. Keep in mind this does not cover you after you’ve been matched up with a ride request, and during the time the rider is in your vehicle — that’s what your rideshare’s company insurance is for.
Ready to get the protection you need and peace of mind you deserve? Connect with your American Family Insurance agent to customize your auto policy.
Related Topics: On The Road , Car Insurance , Car Safety
