Personal Car Insurance

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Personal Car Insurance

No doubt about it, Americans love their cars. And Pennsylvania and Maryland auto owners are no exception. Next to your home, your car may be your most expensive and treasured possession. That's why it's so important to protect your vehicle with the right personal car insurance coverage.

What is Personal Car Insurance?

Personal car insurance, also called personal auto insurance or auto owner's insurance, is insurance on your personal vehicle. In the insurance industry, it is referred to as a Personal Auto Policy, or PAP for short. 

Pickup trucks and vans that weigh less than 12,500 Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) are also considered personal vehicles (if they aren't used for business). Not only is personal auto insurance a good idea to protect your car, but in most states, including Pennsylvania and Maryland, it is mandatory. 

By law, all Pennsylvania and Maryland motor vehicle owners are required to maintain vehicle liability insurance on a currently registered vehicle. In addition, if you are financing or leasing your vehicle, it is likely that your lender or leasing agent requires auto owner's insurance.

What is the Purpose of Personal Car Insurance?

The main purpose of personal auto insurance is to offer you protection against a financial catastrophe should your vehicle be involved in an accident or natural disaster. The right insurance coverage ensures you have peace of mind every time you take your car out for a spin. 

Here are the types of protection available depending on the laws in your state and the coverage you choose:

1.     Protection for you if you are at fault. If you or another household member causes a car accident, you may be held responsible not only for the damage your vehicle incurred but any property damage or injuries you cause others because of the accident.

2.     Protection for you if you are not at fault. If your vehicle is damaged by an uninsured driver or stolen, car insurance may cover part of your losses. You can also insure your vehicle against natural disasters like floods and hail storms that can total your ride.

3.     Protection for your passengers. You can add coverage for medical payments for you and your household members. Another benefit is there is no copay or deductible like you have with health insurance. 

4.     Protection for your lender or leasing agent. If you are still making payments on your car or leasing a vehicle, the lender or leasing agent may require you to carry comprehensive and collision coverage to repair or replace the vehicle if it's damaged or in an accident. Even if your vehicle is not financed, it is a good idea to protect your vehicle if it is less than 15 years old.

Requirements of Personal Car Insurance in Maryland & Pennsylvania

Both Maryland and Pennsylvania require residents to carry a minimum amount of personal auto insurance.  The types of coverage and amounts required differ for each state.

Maryland Auto Insurance Requirements - Per state law, Maryland residents must carry liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage. You are also required to have uninsured motorist coverage.

Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Requirements - Pennsylvania law requires a medical benefit for the insured in addition to liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage.  You can choose to have full or limited tort coverage in Pennsylvania as well. Your Keller-Brown Insurance Agent can talk to you about tort options, what they mean, and which one is right for you. 

Features of Personal Car Insurance

Just like when purchasing your vehicle, there are lots of options to consider when it comes to buying a personal auto insurance policy. When you talk to a Keller-Brown insurance agent, we can steer you toward the right coverage for your vehicle and your situation.

Some of the most popular personal auto insurance coverages include:

• Collision - Pays to repair damage to your vehicle if it collides with another object or overturns;

• Comprehensive - Typically pays for theft or damage to your car from hazards such as fire, flood, vandalism, or striking an animal;

• Rental reimbursement - Pays to rent a vehicle if the insured vehicle was involved in a covered comprehensive or collision loss and cannot be safely driven; 

• Towing - Reimburses you the cost of towing your disabled vehicle up to a specified limit, and

• Full glass coverage — No deductible for repairs if your car's window glass is damaged. 

Note: Collision and comprehensive are usually required to receive a car loan.

Other coverages to consider include:

• Uninsured motorist - Applies to you, your family, and your passengers for bodily injury if you are hit by an at-fault uninsured driver;

• Underinsured motorist - Covers you, your family, and your passengers for bodily injury (not property damage) if you are hit by an at-fault driver who does not have enough coverage;

• Income loss - Pays a portion of lost wages if you are kept from working due to injuries sustained in an auto accident;

• Accidental death benefit - This benefit is paid to your personal representative if a motor vehicle accident results in your death within 24 months of the accident, and

• Funeral benefits — A recommended benefit for Pennsylvania drivers, this helps cover the cost of a funeral in the event of a fatal car accident.

While several coverages are listed above, you should consider what limits you want to choose as well. 

If you are purchasing a new vehicle, there's even something called gap coverage. Gap coverage pays the difference between the insurance company's payment and the balance of your loan if the vehicle is totaled.

At Keller-Brown, we understand that there are many special situations where you may need to customize your policy. Examples include:

• Installation of custom audio equipment

• Business use of your car

• Teenage drivers 

• Guest drivers

• Children away at college with or without a vehicle 

We will also check if there are any discounts you may be eligible for. For example, personal auto insurance discounts may be available if you have completed a driver safety course. If your child has good grades or has completed a driver education course, they may be eligible for a personal car insurance discount as well. You may also be eligible for a multi-policy discount — one of the largest you can earn — if you bundle your home insurance with your auto policy.

Do you have questions about Personal Car Insurance?

Contact an insurance agent at Keller-Brown Insurance Services today to answer any questions about Personal Car Insurance or for a free review and insurance quote for Personal Car Insurance. And don't forget, as an independent insurance agency, we represent several top rated insurance companies. We have the flexibility to help you find coverage at competitive premiums for business, home, auto, and more.