Auto Insurance

What is auto insurance?

Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy.

Auto insurance provides property, liability and medical coverage:

 

• Property coverage pays for damage to or theft of your car.
   

• Liability coverage pays for your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage.
   

• Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses.

An auto insurance policy is comprised of six different kinds of coverage. Most states require you to buy some, but not all, of these coverages. If you're financing a car, your lender may also have requirements.

Most auto policies are for six months to a year. Your insurance company should notify you by mail when it’s time to renew the policy and to pay your premium.

How much does the cheapest car insurance cost?

That really depends on your credit score, claims history, driving record, where you live, etc.

You can get up to four car insurance quotes in minutes from companies like Safeco, Unitrin Direct, MetLife, Travelers from some Web sites. But keep in mind, price is not everything. The cheapest may be the most expensive if you need it

Auto Insurance Coverage Options

Auto insurance provides you with important financial protection against bodily injury and property damage that arise from automobile accidents. In addition to minimum legal requirements, you should consider other types and amounts of coverage for your individual needs. We'll help you put together an auto insurance policy that's just right for you, your family, your passengers, and your assets.

As you select coverage options, there are key areas of protection to consider. Click on the coverage options below for a brief explanation of each:

Liability
Pays for damage to others when you are legally responsible as a result of an accident involving your auto. It pays for loss resulting from bodily injury or property damage up to the limit you select. This coverage can also protect you while you or resident family members are using a car you do not own (e.g., rental car).

Medical Payments
Pays medical expenses for you, resident family members and other persons injured by an accident while occupying your auto. You and resident family members are also covered as pedestrians should you be struck and injured by an auto. You will be paid regardless of who is at fault for the accident up to the limit of coverage you select.

Collision
Collision coverage pays for direct and accidental damage to your auto caused by upset or collision with another vehicle or object. This coverage is written with a deductible.

Other Than Collision
Other Than Collision coverage pays for direct and accidental loss or damage to your auto caused by such things as theft of the auto or its equipment, fire, vandalism, breakage of glass, explosion, falling objects and damage from contact with birds or animals. This coverage may be written with a deductible.

Uninsured Motorists
This coverage varies significantly by state both in terms and availability of options, but generally falls into three parts:  
1. Uninsured Motorists - Bodily Injury Pays for bodily injury that you are legally entitled to recover from the owner or operator of an uninsured motor vehicle.  
2. Underinsured Motorists - Bodily Injury Pays for bodily injury that you are legally entitled to recover from the owner or operator of an insured motor vehicle but the amount of his/her insurance is not sufficient to pay all of your damages.  
3. Uninsured Motorists - Property Damage Pays for damages that you are legally entitled to recover if your auto is damaged in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.

Personal Injury Protection
In states where "No Fault" coverage is available, pays for medical treatment, wage loss, and rehabilitation regardless of fault.

Other Options
Protection is available for Towing, Substitute Transportation (if your auto is inoperable after a covered loss), Loan/Lease Gap Coverage, and Special Equipment Coverage.

Auto insurance rates are affected by a number of factors, including:

Where you live – From one area to another, the frequency of events such as theft or vandalism, and the costs of auto repairs and medical bills can vary. For example, insuring an auto in New York, New York, may cost twice as much as insuring an auto in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Make and model of your auto – autos that are stolen less, harder to damage, or cheaper to repair cost less to insure. Call an Amica representative at 1-800-24-AMICA to find out how your auto specifically ranks.
 

Driving record – Tickets, accidents, and previous claims may raise your rates.

Age – Because younger/less experienced drivers are involved in accidents more often, their rates are naturally higher.  
How the auto is used – Whether you use your auto for business, commuting, or pleasure can affect your rates.

Talk to one of our representatives to find out how you can lower your premiums. Things that often contribute to lower auto insurance rates include:

• Driver training
• Good students
• Car pool use
• Students away at school
• Two or more autos
• Defensive Driver training courses for older drivers
• Higher deductibles
• Alarm systems
• Anti-lock brakes

We will work with you to come up with the best, most economical solution for your insurance needs.

Understanding your policy

Making sense of auto insurance can be intimidating. At Amica we make understanding your protection as easy as possible.

There is a quick reference index to important provisions inside the cover of your policy. The Declarations Cover Page offers an overview of the options that you selected, the endorsements you added, and the effective policy period.

The body of the policy provides a detailed explanation of your coverage in everyday language.

So, take a few moments to review your protection – you will not only better understand your existing coverage but may also identify unprotected risks.

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