The Personal Auto Policy Made Simple

Part A-Liability Coverage

This coverage applies to you or any family member who becomes legally responsible for damages caused by the ownership, maintenance, or use of any auto. This is a very broad statement. It protects you or any family member from bodily injury or property damage that you may cause through the use, maintenance, or ownership of any auto.

Additionally, the insurance company is obligated to pay all your legal fees for any claim or suit seeking damages that are covered under the policy until they have paid the policy limits.

Part B-Medical Payments

This provides coverage for reasonable medical expenses for you and your family members caused by an accident. This coverage also extends to any other person while occupying your covered auto.

Part C-Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

The uninsured motorist coverage protects you and your family members if injured in an accident involving an uninsured driver. The underinsured provision provides protection for you from drivers that carry lower limits than your policy provides.

Part D-Coverage for Damage to your Auto

This coverage is often referred to as “collision” and “other than collision,” but it may be called comprehensive. Both of these coverages are subject to a deductible.

Collision means upset or collision with another object of your covered auto. “Other than collision” losses are caused by missiles or falling objects, fire, theft, hail, flood, vandalism, riot, explosion or earthquake, windstorm, contact with a bird or animal, and glass breakage.

Again, there are many more pages to an auto policy where words are defined, exclusions are listed, limits are explained, and your duties after an accident or loss are spelled out.