Sometimes you rubberneck at fender benders and sometimes you are the fender bender-er. No matter how good a driver you are, there are always bad drivers looking to turn your morning commute into a demolition derby. Luckily, collision insurance will help you cover the cost of an accident.
Our independent agents don’t stop at finding the perfect collision insurance policy for you—they’ll also help you navigate the claims process so you can get back on the road, fast. Now that’s legit damage control.
What Is Collision Insurance?
In short, it’s an agreement between you and an insurance company, where the insurer will help pay to repair or replace your vehicle in the event of collisions with other cars or inanimate objects.
Is Collision Insurance Mandatory?
Not technically, the only car insurance that’s legally required is liability insurance, which covers other drivers and pedestrians in case of an accident. However, car dealerships and banks require you to have collision insurance if you’re leasing or still making payments. That’s good for you, too—no one wants to keep making payments on a smashed-up, undrivable car years after the fact.
Why Should I Get Collision Insurance?
A car accident has a major ripple effect on your job, family and free time—after all, unless you’re an extreme hobbyist or collector, you’re likely to have a car so you can get from place to place. Collision insurance minimizes the time you’ll spend car-less and maximizes the time you’ll spend living normally.
There are a few scenarios where it doesn’t make sense: When you’re driving a car whose replacement cost would be cheaper than your annual premiums, or when you have enough disposable income that you could easily pay out of pocket in an accident. For everyone else, we highly recommend it.
What Does Collision Insurance Cover?
As the name suggests, it covers costs related to collisions with other vehicles or objects like lamp posts and parking meters. It’s there to help you pay for repairs or a replacement and if you’re leasing your car or still paying it off, it also helps cover that debt if it’s totaled.
How Much Does Collision Insurance Cost?
There’s no one cost for collision insurance since your policy and premiums will be personalized for you and your vehicle. The final price tag will be based mainly on these factors:
- Car value: Expensive cars are more expensive to insure because replacement and repair costs are higher. The opposite is true for cheaper vehicles.
- Safety record: One or two fender benders won’t hurt you too much, but major offenses like DUIs will cause your costs to skyrocket.
- Experience and age: The longer you’ve had your license, the less you’re likely to pay. Age is also a factor—most drivers see a big drop-off in costs after age 25.
- Location: Different regions (called “rating territories”) have different risks that affect costs. For example, drivers in congested cities will likely pay more for insurance because heavy traffic is a risk factor for accidents, even if you’re a good driver otherwise.
An experienced driver with a perfect safety record and a low- to the mid-range vehicle will likely pay only a few hundred dollars a year for collision coverage. New drivers with bad records, especially ones with expensive cars, could pay thousands for the same coverage.
The Awesome Benefits of an Independent Agent
Your car is one of your most important assets—don’t let mistakes and misunderstandings get between you and the coverage you need. Independent agents simplify the process by comparing insurance quotes for you. They’ll also cut the jargon and clarify the fine print, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Most importantly, they’ll be there to help you and your family in case of an accident. They’re experts at handling claims and helping you maximize the benefits of your insurance.
Comparing Collision Insurance Quotes
Instant online insurance quotes are nice, but algorithms are designed for the lowest common denominator and can miss important details. Our expert agents do the hard work behind the scenes, so you can enjoy a policy that strikes the perfect balance of meeting your needs and saving you money.
TrustedChoice.com Article
Source: https://www.trustedchoice.com/car-insurance/auto-coverage-types/collision/
