Even if you have been driving for many years, and even if you already have insurance on several vehicles, chances are that great auto insurance companies in Tampa can help you get a better deal on your next auto insurance policy. Here is what you need to know how Affordable Car Insurance Tampa can help you find the car insurance you need at the rates you can afford.
Every insurance policy covers the legal minimums, but the legal minimums are not enough.
Any auto insurance policy you buy in Florida will give you bare bones coverage of $10,000 property damage liability cover, listed as PLC, and $10,000 of personal injury protection, listed as PIP. Florida is a no-fault state, so everybody gets compensated for their property damage and personal injuries from their own car insurance policy, no matter who is at fault.
However…
It does not take a very serious accident to cause far more than $10,000 in property damage and $10,000 in personal injury expenses.
If the other party’s property damage exceeds $10,000 or their personal injury expenses exceed $10,000, they can sue you for the difference. You could wind up having to pay for your lawyer, their lawyer, court costs and whatever amount of money the judge awards them if you lose your court case. And you will need a lawyer to have any chance of winning in court.
Why you need to consider higher limits for PIP
PIP covers medical expenses due to a crash for you and for the other passengers in your car. It is not a second payer for your medical expenses. It pays whether you have health insurance or not.
Extra PIP coverage is a great option if you have a high deductible on your health insurance policies. It will pay for medical expenses that your health insurance policy won’t because of the deductible. And it usually pays doctors and chiropractors more than would be allowed under your health insurance even if you have met your deductible for the year. PIP may also cover lost wages and funeral expenses.
Affordable Car Insurance Tampa can help you find the coverage that gives you the PLC and PIP you need at the most affordable rate. We can also help you determine how much PLC and PIP you really need. But you also need other kinds of coverage that the state does not require for taking your car on the road.
Collision and Comprehensive
Collision insurance covers damages to your car caused by a crash. This is insurance that pays for repairs to your car, not the other driver’s. If the cost of repairing your car exceeds the value of your car, the adjuster will cut you a check for the value of your car and call it “totaled.” Otherwise, collision insurance pays the cost of repairs minus your deductible. Sometimes, collision insurance will compensate for loss of value of your car when repairs are not readily available, such as in the case of hail damage.
In Florida, collision insurance pays even if you were at fault in the accident.
Comprehensive insurance covers hazards to your car that aren’t due to collisions. These can be fire, theft, and, if you have the appropriate rider, wind or tornado damage in a hurricane.
Comprehensive insurance also covers personal property that you keep and use in your car. Items you take from your home and lose while you are carrying them in your car are covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s policy.
Other kinds of car insurance coverage you may need
If you are a saver, you may always have cash on hand and not need extended coverage on the warranty for your car. However, if you can’t handle a major repair bill, extended coverage will help you handle the bills for repairs that are needed after your warranty expires.
Guaranteed Auto Protection or GAP insurance pays the difference between the market value of your vehicle and how much you owe on your loan if your car gets totaled before you pay it off. This is something you are most likely to need if you got 60-month or 72-month financing on an expensive new car. With interest rates going up, many people need this kind of coverage. And many lenders will require it.
Mechanical breakdown insurance differs from extended coverage in that it allows you to take your vehicle to the mechanic of your choice if it breaks down and needs repairs. If you have trouble keeping money in your emergency fund, this is a good choice.
An OEM endorsement ensures that your car will be repaired with original equipment manufacturer parts, instead of whatever parts the repair shop can find in the aftermarket. The parts used for repairs will be parts made by its manufacturer.