Auto coverage
Auto insurance that protects more than your car
Your liability limits protect your savings, your home and your future income. Learn what each coverage does and how much to carry.
What we check
- Liability limits
- Uninsured motorist
- Deductibles
- Umbrella fit
What it covers
Bodily injury liability
Injuries you cause to other people, per person and per accident.
Property damage liability
Damage you cause to other cars, fences and buildings.
Uninsured motorist
Your injuries when the at-fault driver has little or no insurance.
Collision
Damage to your car in a crash, whoever is at fault.
Comprehensive
Theft, hail, fire, flood, falling objects and animal strikes.
Medical payments or PIP
Medical bills for you and your passengers. PIP is required in some states.
Interactive guide
How much liability do people carry?
A common rule of thumb is to carry enough liability to protect what you own. Pick the range closest to your net worth.
$250K / $500K plus a $1M umbrella
Past this point, people often add an umbrella rather than keep raising auto limits, since umbrellas start at $1M.
- Bodily injury $250K / $500K
- Umbrella $1M
- Check every household vehicle meets the umbrella minimum
General information, not insurance or financial advice. A licensed broker can recommend coverage for your situation.
What affects your price
- 01
Driving record
Accidents and violations in the last 3–5 years.
- 02
Drivers
Age and experience, especially teen drivers.
- 03
The vehicle
Repair costs, theft rates and safety features.
- 04
Where it’s garaged
Traffic, theft and weather in your area.
- 05
Annual mileage
More miles, more exposure.
- 06
Limits and deductibles
Higher limits cost a bit more; higher deductibles cost less.
How it fits with your other policies
Gaps usually hide between policies. Your household dashboard checks how they line up.
Umbrella
Requires minimum auto limits underneath.
Watercraft
Liability while towing usually comes from auto.
Home
Personal items in the car usually fall to home.
Auto insurance questions
What do the numbers like 100/300/100 mean?
$100K bodily injury per person, $300K bodily injury per accident, and $100K property damage.
Is the state minimum enough?
State minimums are set low, sometimes $15K per person, and one serious crash can exceed them. Anything above your limits can be claimed against your savings and future earnings.
Should I drop collision on an older car?
Collision pays up to the car’s actual cash value, less your deductible. When the car is worth little more than the deductible, some people drop it. A broker can compare the numbers for your car.
Does my policy cover a rental car?
Often, for personal rentals in the US: your liability usually extends to the rental, and collision and comprehensive may too. Check your policy, and whether it pays the rental company’s loss-of-use fees.
Why does my umbrella care about my auto limits?
An umbrella pays after your auto liability runs out, and it expects that liability to be at least its minimum, often $250K / $500K. If your limits are lower, you pay the difference yourself before the umbrella starts.
Get auto coverage that fits the rest of your policies
Find a licensed broker who writes home, auto, watercraft and umbrella together.