Complete Auto Insurance Coverage

In a society of “good enough” and “that’ll do” it is often difficult for drivers to determine whether or not they should carry complete coverage on their auto insurance. After all, do they really want to pay thousands of dollars in premiums on the off chance that their car or truck will sustain damages that are too expensive for them to pay for? Or would it be better for them to simply assume the risk themselves?

There are a number of arguments both for and against having complete coverage on a vehicle. The bottom line is that the amount of auto insurance a driver needs should be determined by their individual circumstances.

The argument for complete coverage is obvious. Although the cost of repairing a vehicle following an accident for which the driver in question is not responsible will be assumed by the other driver’s auto insurance company, they are going to be left holding the bag if the accident was their fault. This means that if their car is totaled (meaning that the cost of the repairs is greater than the estimated value of the car) they’re going to be left with no vehicle and no assistance to help them purchase another one. If they had complete coverage, this expense would be assumed by their collision insurance.

For individuals living in an area with a high incidence of natural disasters this is even more important.Comprehensive auto insurance, included as part of the “complete coverage” package, will pay for damages inflicted by natural disasters (referred to as “Acts of God” by many insurance companies). This includes (but isn’t limited to) earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornados, mudslides, hail, rockslides and tsunamis.

For anyone that owns a vehicle with a lien, complete coverage is not in question. Why? Any company that is going to issue a lien for the purchase of a vehicle is going to require that the driver maintain complete coverage on their auto insurance at all times. Why? Many recently purchased vehicles are involved in accidents long before their drivers are finished paying them off. This leaves the driver holding the bag on the remainder of their lien without anything to show for it.

If the driver has complete auto insurance coverage it isn’t an issue. When a vehicle has to be totaled the insurance company will issue a check for the designated blue book value of the vehicle. The driver can then turn that check over to the lender to pay off the remainder of their lien and go car shopping with a clean slate.

If complete coverage is so great, why doesn’t everyone have it? It’s more expensive than simply maintaining liability on their auto insurance. It all comes down to dollars and cents-and sometimes the scales don’t balance. For people driving cars that cost slightly more than they make in a paycheck or two, it may be smarter to put away the money they would have put into the extra coverage each month in case of an emergency. They are going to pay far more in premiums that they are going to receive if their vehicle has to be totaled.

Whether or not a driver should have complete coverage depends on their own personal circumstances; as long as they maintain liability to fall back on if an accident does occur not carrying complete coverage may be their best option.

QuoteScout helps you find the auto insurance coverage you need at the lowest price. QuoteScout provides consumers with a free, simple, and effective way to shop for insurance. As a leading online marketplace for insurance, QuoteScout works with a combination of local agents, regional and national carriers to ensure that you are provided with a wide variety of responses to your request for a quote. Please visit our website for more information at www.QuoteScout.com

Related Articles

• Complete Auto Insurance Coverage - Feb 26, 2008 - 4:04:39 AM