Get the auto insurance that will help protect you
When you're shopping for auto insurance, you want to be adequately covered in case of an accident. After all, you're protecting your life and your investment, as well as the lives of those around you. So, here's a quick primer that outlines the basics of auto coverage :
Liability coverage is the most important coverage and is required in most states. Basically, if you cause an accident, hurt someone or damage someone's property, it can pay for covered damages and to defend you if a lawsuit results. Learn more about liability coverage.
Collision coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle if your car hits another car or object, is hit by another car, or your vehicle rolls over. This coverage is generally required if your car is financed or leased. Learn more about collision coverage.
Comprehensive coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle that is not caused by a collision. Examples include theft, vandalism, hitting a deer or other animal, storms and certain natural disasters. Learn more about comprehensive coverage.
Medical payments coverage helps pay for covered medical expenses for anyone injured while in your vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. Learn more about medical payments coverage.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help pay for damages and medical costs resulting from an accident caused by someone who has no insurance or inadequate insurance coverage. Learn more about uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Personal injury protection (PIP), also called no-fault insurance is available in certain states and pays medical expenses, and in some cases lost wages and other damages regardless of who is at fault in an accident. Learn more about personal injury – no fault – insurance protection.
In addition to these basic coverages, you can choose from a host of optional coveragesto create a customized auto policy that meets your individual needs.
Be confident in your insurance choices. Contact your agent or Travelers representative today. We'll work with you to develop an auto insurance policy that fits your needs and your budget.
Liability coverage
If you cause an auto accident, you need protection for the damage you might do to another person and that person's property. That's what auto liability insurance is all about.
If you're in an accident in which you're at fault, your property damage liability pays for the covered damage you've caused to the other car and provides you with legal defense if the other party files a lawsuit against you. Your bodily injury liability covers the costs associated with the covered injuries you may have caused to other people in that accident and also provides for a legal defense if you're sued.
Key points when choosing liability insurance:
- Bodily injury liability covers injury to people, up to the policy limits.
- You should have enough property liability insurance to cover the amount of damage your car might do to another vehicle or an object such as a building or piece of equipment.
- With both types of liability, you want enough insurance to cover a lawsuit judgment, without jeopardizing your personal assets.
Most states require all motorists to maintain some form of liability insurance. Your Travelers representative can help you understand your state requirements and select the amount of liability coverage that's right for you.
Be confident in your insurance choices. Contact your agent or Travelers representative today. We'll work with you to develop an auto insurance policy that fits your needs and your budget.
Collision coverage
If you're in an accident with another vehicle or object – or your vehicle overturns – your collision coverage will pay for the covered damage to your vehicle. The maximum amount you'd receive is the actual cash value of your vehicle minus the deductible you chose for this coverage.
Key points about collision insurance:
- In order to purchase collision coverage, you must also purchase comprehensive coverage.
- Both collision and comprehensive coverage are generally required if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle.
- Choose a deductible with an out-of-pocket cost you're comfortable with should an accident occur.
Coverages and limits may vary by state. Check with a Travelers representative to find out what's available in your state.
Comprehensive coverage
If your car is stolen or is damaged by something other than collision, you'll want to havecomprehensive coverage to help pay for the loss. The maximum amount you'd receive is the actual cash value of your vehicle minus the deductible you chose for this coverage.
Key points about comprehensive insurance:
- Comprehensive typically covers damage from fire, vandalism, windstorm, hail, flood, vandalism or impact with an animal.
- If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, comprehensive is generally required; otherwise, it's optional.
- Choose a deductible with an out-of-pocket cost you're comfortable with should an accident occur.
Medical payments coverage
The medical payments portion of your policy pays for covered medical expenses up to policy limits for this coverage for anyone injured in your vehicle – regardless of who's at fault. It also covers you and your family members who might be involved in an accident as a pedestrian.
Coverages vary by state. In some states, medical payments are covered under personal injury protection (PIP), also known as no-fault insurance.
Talk to your Travelers representative about the advantages of medical payments coverage.
Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage
It's scary to realize that some drivers on the road have no insurance or have insufficient coverage. But when you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you'll have protection even if you're in an accident with one of those drivers.
Key points about coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists:
- As long as you've chosen sufficient limits on the policy, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can cover your medical bills and bodily injury resulting from an accident with someone who does not have sufficient insurance.
- Coverage extends to you, your family and your passengers.
- As a pedestrian, if you are hit by an uninsured driver, you can be covered.
The requirement for uninsured motorist coverage varies by state. In most states, it applies only to bodily injury coverage, but you can usually add uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage to your policy as well. Ask your Travelers representative about the coverages available in your state.
Personal injury protection, or no-fault insurance
Personal injury protection – or PIP – is often referred to as no-fault insurance because covered claims are paid regardless of who is at fault in an accident.
Key points about PIP no-fault insurance:
- If you're in an accident, PIP covers you, your family and any passengers.
- PIP pays for covered medical and hospital expenses, and may pay for lost wages and expenses for childcare or household-related services while you're recovering.
- It may also pay for funeral expenses.
If you live in a state where PIP is required by law, your auto insurance policy should include this no-fault insurance. Contact a Travelers representative to learn what's required in your state.
Coverages vary by state. In some states medical payments are covered under medical payments coverage.
Optional coverages, including gap insurance
As you build your Travelers auto policy, you may want to add one or more of the following coverage options. Please note that in some states, some of these coverages may already be included in your auto policy:
- Gap insurance – or loan/lease insurance – can protect you if your vehicle is financed or leased. If your vehicle is totaled, this coverage may pay the difference between the actual cash value of the vehicle and the unpaid balance of the loan or lease.
- Towing and labor pays for covered towing and labor costs if your vehicle is disabled, up to your policy limits.
- Rental reimbursement or extended transportation expenses coverage can pay for a rental car if your car is damaged in a covered accident and your car is out of commission for more than 24 hours.
Understand your insurance deductible and limits
of liability
Car insurance coverage should fit your needs – and your budget
To create the auto insurance policy that's right for you, think about what you'd like covered, what you can afford to pay for that coverage and how much you can pay out of pocket if an accident occurs.
Deductibles
Your car insurance deductible is the amount you'll pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. The lower the deductible, the less you'll pay out of pocket if an accident occurs. Selecting a higher deductible may lower your auto insurance premium.
For example, if you choose a $1,000 deductible and have an accident causing $2,000 in damage, you would pay the first $1,000 of a covered loss before insurance kicks in.
Limits of liability
Your car insurance coverage limits, also referred to as limit of liability, is the most your insurance will pay if you have a claim. Choosing a higher coverage amount provides you additional protection if an accident occurs.
The available coverage limits may vary by coverage type and state. It is important to choose limits that meet your needs.
Even more protection with a personal liability umbrella policy
You may want to consider additional liability coverage over and above the basic limits in your automobile policy. For example, if you're in a serious accident involving medical bills or litigation, umbrella insurance pays after you have used up the underlying auto insurance. Typical policies provide $1 million in additional coverage.
Weigh budget and risks
At Travelers, we understand your need to obtain thorough coverage while keeping your premiums reasonable. That's why we recommend that you carefully weigh your budget considerations against your exposure to potential risks as you select your coverages and limits. You can consider different scenarios with our online Auto Coverage Guide, or call us and a Travelers representative will help.
Be confident in your insurance choices. Contact your agent or Travelers representative today. We'll work with you to develop an auto insurance policy that fits your needs and your budget.
See how your auto insurance performs
Scenario #1
A tree falls on your car during a thunderstorm causing major damage.
Here's where your comprehensive coverage proves its value.
You'll pay your deductible – say $1,000 – and then your comprehensive coverage pays the rest of the bill. If your car is considered a total loss, your insurance will cover the actual cash value of the car or what it's worth today, minus that $1,000 deductible.
Scenario #2
Your car collides with a stopped car at an intersection. Both cars are damaged but no one is hurt.
Your collision coverage covers the repairs on your vehicle, minus the deductible. If your car is considered a total loss, you'll get the actual cash value of the car, minus the deductible. If you're liable for damage to the other vehicle, your property damage liability coverage provides coverage up to the limit.
Scenario #3
You're driving alone when your vehicle collides with a car carrying three people. Everyone sustains injuries.
As in scenario #2, your collision coverage covers the damage to your car and your property damage liability covers damage to the other car up to your property damage liability coverage limit.
Where it's available, PIP – personal injury protection – may pay covered medical expenses up to the limit of the policy, regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
If the other driver is liable, but has no insurance, youruninsured/underinsured motorist coverage could provide protection up to the limits of your uninsured/underinsured motorist liability limit.
If an injured person sues you, your bodily injury liability provides your defense and, if you're found responsible, that same coverage pays damages up to your bodily injury liability limit.
The information on this site is general in nature. Any description of coverage is necessarily simplified. Whether a particular loss is covered depends on the specific facts and the provisions, exclusions and limits of the actual policy. Nothing on this site alters the terms or conditions of any of our policies. You should read the policy for a complete description of coverage. Coverage options, limits, discounts, features, deductibles and repair options are subject to availability and to individuals meeting our underwriting criteria. Not all features available in all areas.
Insurance is underwritten by The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates, One Tower Square, Hartford, CT, 06183. For a complete list of personal insurance underwriting companies, clickhere.
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Lewis Insurance
2525 S. Lamar Ste 11
Austin, TX
78704
2525 S. Lamar Ste 11
Austin, TX
78704
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