- Automobile Coverage FAQs
- 1. What is covered by basic automobile insurance?More
Your automobile insurance may include 6 coverages:
- bodily injury liability
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and/or medical payments for injuries and lost wages
- property damage liability
- collision
- comprehensive
- uninsured and underinsured motorist.
For an explanation of each type, click here: http://www.iii.org/article/what-covered-basic-auto-insurance-policy
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0) - 2. Can I drive legally without insurance?More
No. Almost every state requires you to have auto liability insurance. All states also have financial responsibility laws. This means that even in a state that does not require liability insurance, you need to have sufficient assets to pay claims if you cause an accident. If your car is financed through a lender, they may require comprehensive and collision insurance as part of the loan agreement.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0) - 3. What is “gap” insurance?More
If you “total” your car before you finish paying for it, there will likely be a gap between what you owe and what the insurance company will pay you. This is because the insurance company's check is based on the car's actual cash value which takes into account depreciation. Whether you have an auto loan or a lease, you may want to buy gap insurance to protect yourself from having to come up with the gap amount in the event of a total loss.
For more details, click here: http://www.iii.org/article/insuring-leased-car
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0) - 4. Can a newly licensed driver transport any age passenger?More
No. According to Massachusetts law, a newly licensed driver cannot transport any one under 18 years of age.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0) - 5. How is family auto insurance coverage handled when students are away during the school year?More
All household members need to be listed as operators of family vehicles. While students are away at school, they may be excluded as operators. This saves premium dollars for the parents. But they must remember to call us and add back student operators during holiday breaks, spring break, summer, etc.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0) - 6. Do we need to buy insurance from a rental car company when we’re on vacation?More
If you have collision and comprehensive insurance on your personal auto, you automatically have the same coverages, subject to your deductible, under the physical damage insurance. You are NOT covered, however for the soft costs. That is, your personal policy will not pay for any lost business income for the rental car company while their damaged vehicle is being repaired. We recommend that you buy the insurance from the rental company.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0) - 7. Is personal property in my car covered by my auto policy?More
Stolen or damaged items like laptop computers or cell phones aren’t covered by your auto insurance. You’d have to file a claim on your home insurance. Most home insurance policies cover smaller, less expensive items. However, if you carry expensive items such as computer equipment, ask us about the need for a rider on your home insurance policy.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0) - 8. If a tree falls on my car at home, does my homeowner’s insurance pay for the damage?More
No. At home or away from home, you are only covered if you have comprehensive coverage on your automobile policy.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0) - 9. What if I lease a car?More
If you lease a car, you still need to buy your own auto insurance policy. The auto dealer or bank that is financing the car will require you to buy collision and comprehensive coverage. You will need to buy these coverages in addition to the others that may be mandatory in your state, such as auto liability insurance, nor will your personal auto policy pay for the reduction in the vehicles value due to an accident or the administrative fees charged by the rental car company.
For more details, click here: http://www.iii.org/article/insuring-leased-car
- What is “gap” insurance?
- If you “total” your car before you finish paying for it, there will likely be a gap between what you owe and what the insurance company will pay you. This is because the insurance company's check is based on the car's actual cash value which takes into account depreciation. Whether you have an auto loan or a lease, you may want to buy gap insurance to protect yourself from having to come up with the gap amount in the event of a total loss. For more details, click here. (http://www.iii.org/article/insuring-leased-car)
- Q. How is family auto insurance coverage handled when students
are away during the school year handled?
- All household members need to be listed as operators of
family vehicles. While students are away at school, they may
be excluded as operators. This saves premium dollars for the
parents. But they must remember to call us and add back
student operators during holiday breaks, spring break, summer, etc.
- Q. Do we need to buy insurance from a rental car
company when we’re on vacation?
- If you have collision and comprehensive insurance on your
personal auto, you automatically have the same coverages,
subject to your deductible, under the physical damage insurance.
You are NOT covered, however for the soft costs. That is, your
personal policy will not pay for any lost business income for
the rental car company while their damaged vehicle is being
repaired. We recommend that you buy the insurance from
the rental company.
Q. If a tree falls on my car at home, does my homeowner’s insurance pay for the damage?
- No. At home or away from home, you are only covered
if you have comprehensive coverage on your automobile policy.
- Is personal property in my car covered by my auto policy?
- Stolen or damaged items like laptop computers or cell phones aren’t covered by your auto insurance. You’d have to file a claim on your home insurance.
Most home insurance policies cover smaller, less expensive items.
However, if you carry expensive items such as computer equipment,
ask us about the need for a rider on your home insurance policy.
- Can a newly licensed driver transport any age passenger?
- No. According to Massachusetts law, a newly licensed driver cannot transport
any one under 18 years of age.
Was this answer helpful ? Yes(0) / No(0)