Four Rules for Choosing the Right Auto Insurance
When you're purchasing auto insurance, there are a few options and coverage levels to decide on. But before choosing liability coverage, let's take a few minutes to understand the four rules for selecting the auto insurance limits that best meet your needs.
Understanding Coverage Limits
Coverage limits protect your assets and represent the amount of money your insurance will pay to cover losses after an at-fault accident (an accident that you're responsible for). If costs from an accident go above the limits you choose, you're typically responsible for paying them.
So why doesn't everyone just get high coverage limits? Well, while choosing higher limits does give you more protection, it's usually more expensive, because you're asking your insurance provider to cover more damages. So, if you pick higher coverage limits, and you're at fault in an accident, your insurance provider would pay for more damages, but you'd pay more in premiums for that coverage.
Alternatively, choosing lower coverage limits may save you money on your premiums, but you have to assume a larger financial responsibility if you're found at-fault in an accident, and that can be very expensive.
It sounds like a balancing act, but if you follow these rules, you'll confidently find coverage limits that fit your lifestyle and budget comfortably:
Rule #1: Choose Coverage Limits That Reflect Your Needs
When you're deciding on coverage limits, ask yourself:
- Who am I covering on my policy?
Who you cover under your policy can have a big impact on the limits you need. For example, if you're covering yourself, your spouse and your two teenagers, you may want to consider higher limits, since the risk of being involved in an accident tends to increase as more drivers are added to a policy. You may also have more assets to cover with a larger family. However, if it's just yourself on the policy, take into account your personal needs and choose coverage limits you're comfortable with.
Rule #2: Choose Coverage Limits That Protect You and Your Property
When you decide on coverage limits, you want enough coverage to protect you and your assets if you cause an accident. Choosing limits that are too high may be out of your budget, but limits that are too low can expose you to serious financial risks. So ask yourself:
- What financial assets do I have?
Without sufficient coverage, you can put yourself in real financial danger! For example, if you're found at fault for an accident but don't have enough coverage to pay for the damages, the other party can legally go after your savings and your property to recoup money. So you should consider your financial picture, your budget, and the value of your assets to choose the coverage limits that can best protect you.
Rule #3: Choose Coverage Limits That You Can Comfortably Afford
Budgeting is important for every union worker. So before choosing your coverage limits, ask yourself:
- Is this limit in my budget?
Everyone's financial situation is different, and everyone budgets differently. So it's important to make sure you can comfortably afford to pay for your auto insurance, and know how much you could afford to pay out of pocket if you got into an accident. - Can I pay my premiums with this limit and still cover all my monthly expenses?
Having proper coverage shouldn't keep you from paying bills, making car payments or keeping a little money every month for "just in case" moments. Thankfully, as a union member you get access to great insurance discounts from Union Plus Auto Insurance.
Rule #4: Update Your Coverage Limits When Life Changes
Life can change quickly, so when it does, make sure your auto insurance is still sufficient to cover you, your loved ones, and your assets.
Recently get married? Add a new teen driver to your policy? Get a new car? Move to a new area? All of these life changes can affect your budget, your property values, your risk levels, and your needs. So after a big life change, make sure to contact your insurance provider to reassess and update your coverage limits.
Now that you've seen the rules for choosing coverage limits, see how much you can save with great coverage and special union discounts with a quote from Union Plus Auto Insurance.