Auto Insurance
Auto insurance helps protect you, your vehicle, your passengers, and your finances when accidents, damage, theft, or liability issues happen. Whether you drive a car, SUV, pickup truck, van, or another personal-use vehicle, the right coverage can help you stay protected on the road and better prepared for the unexpected.
Driving comes with everyday risks, from collisions and storm damage to theft, vandalism, and claims involving injuries or property damage. A well-built auto insurance policy can help cover repair costs, medical expenses, legal liability, and other losses that could otherwise become very expensive. The right policy should reflect how you drive, what you drive, and how much protection you want in place.
Insurance Needs and Coverage Options
Liability insurance helps cover bodily injury or property damage you cause to others in an accident. This is one of the most important parts of an auto policy and is required in most states. Since accident-related costs can rise quickly, many drivers choose limits above the minimum required by law.
Collision coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle if you hit another car or object, or if your vehicle overturns. This coverage can be especially valuable for newer vehicles or any vehicle that would be costly to repair or replace.
Comprehensive coverage helps protect your vehicle from non-collision losses such as theft, vandalism, fire, hail, falling objects, and certain weather-related damage. If your vehicle is damaged while parked or stolen outright, this coverage can play a major role in helping you recover financially.
This coverage helps protect you if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance to fully cover the damage or injuries they cause. It can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other covered losses, depending on the policy and state.
Medical payments coverage can help with medical expenses for you and your passengers after a covered accident, regardless of fault. This may include ambulance rides, emergency treatment, hospital visits, and follow-up care.
In some states, personal injury protection, often called PIP, may be available or required. This coverage can help with medical expenses, lost income, and certain other related costs after an accident, regardless of who caused it.
If your vehicle is being repaired because of a covered claim, rental reimbursement coverage can help pay for the cost of a temporary replacement vehicle. This can be especially helpful if you rely on your car daily for work, family responsibilities, or errands.
Roadside assistance can help if your vehicle breaks down while you are away from home. Coverage may include towing, battery jump-starts, flat tire help, lockout service, and fuel delivery. It can be a valuable addition for drivers who want extra peace of mind on the road.
If your vehicle is financed or leased, gap coverage may help pay the difference between what you owe and the vehicle’s actual cash value if it is declared a total loss. This can be especially important for newer vehicles that may depreciate faster than the loan balance declines.
Some policies offer stronger protection for newer vehicles by helping replace a totaled car with a new one of similar kind and quality, or with a newer comparable vehicle depending on the carrier and policy terms. This may be worth considering if you want more than standard depreciation-based coverage.
If your vehicle has aftermarket wheels, upgraded audio equipment, custom lighting, lift kits, or other modifications, additional coverage may be available to help protect those upgrades. Standard policies may limit how much they pay for non-factory equipment.
Drivers who use their personal vehicle for ride-share services may need additional protection beyond a standard personal auto policy. Ride-share coverage can help fill potential gaps between personal and commercial coverage while driving for services like Uber or Lyft.
Testimonials
Marty Karriker is a class act! His communication and business ethics are top notch and it’s always a pleasure to work with him and his team.
- Andrew Steele (RVing with Andrew Steele)
Understanding Premiums & Deductibles
Auto insurance premiums can vary based on a number of factors, including the type of vehicle you drive, where you live, your driving history, annual mileage, age, claims history, credit-based insurance factors where allowed, and the coverages and limits you choose. Newer or more expensive vehicles often cost more to insure, and drivers with accidents or violations on their record may also pay more.
Your deductible affects how much you pay out of pocket before certain coverages apply. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premium, but it also means taking on more financial responsibility if you need to file a claim. The right deductible depends on your budget, your vehicle’s value, and how much risk you are comfortable handling yourself.
Customizing Your Insurance Package
Auto insurance should be built around your real-life needs. Some drivers want a basic policy that satisfies legal requirements, while others want broader protection that helps cover vehicle damage, rental cars, roadside issues, and losses caused by uninsured drivers. The right mix depends on your vehicle, your budget, and how much protection you want in place.
A customized auto policy can help make sure you are not paying for coverage you do not need, while still protecting the things that matter most. Whether you are insuring one vehicle or several, reviewing your options carefully can help you find coverage that fits your lifestyle and offers real peace of mind.
