How Much Auto Insurance Do I Need? A Complete Guide For New Car Owners

Every state has some kind of financial responsibility or obligation, and most drivers meet this requirement by purchasing auto insurance. It is usually the simplest and least expensive method. If you don’t want auto insurance, your state may compel you to post a bond, which can cost up to $50,000, to demonstrate financial responsibility.

After you’ve ruled out the possibility of paying tens of thousands of dollars to your state, the next logical question can be: How much auto insurance do I need? In this article, we’ll go over all aspects of auto insurance to highlight the importance of getting car insurance, like why is auto insurance important, which kind of automobile insurance do I need? and how does auto insurance work so that getting auto insurance can be a hassle-free process for you.

What is auto insurance?

Automobile insurance is a means to protect yourself financially if you are involved in a car accident or suffer a loss due to fire, theft, vandalism, or an act of nature. Some types of automobile insurance coverage only apply if you are at fault in an accident, but others pay even if you are not at fault. Furthermore, certain coverages assist with medical expenditures, while others cover property and car damage.

In 2020, the average cost of an automobile insurance claim was $20,235 for bodily injury and $4,711 for property damage. One of the most important things to remember, regardless of the type of coverage, is that the coverage limit you select is the maximum amount your policy will pay out. Any sum in excess of that is your responsibility. As a result, it is critical to strike a balance between policy affordability and coverage levels.

How to buy car insurance?

According to the most recent statistics from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the average cost of liability, collision, and comprehensive auto insurance across the country is $1,190. However, when shopping for a car insurance policy, you shouldn’t just concentrate on price.

This is due to the fact that different auto insurance companies compute their rates in different ways, resulting in a wide variety of costs that can vary by thousands of dollars annually. Comparing auto insurance rates from various providers is a wise move. You can try acquiring rates and fees of auto insurance online or by contacting on-ground agents of the different insurance companies you are interested in knowing about.

Try to inquire about the different discounts the insurance company offers. Insurance providers provide a wide range of discounts to entice clients, including ones for being a good driver, automobile safety, having several policies, paying in full, and going paperless.

Last but not least, think about a company’s customer service. The top auto insurance providers combine reasonable costs with top-notch clientele care. You want to know that your insurance provider will make filing an insurance claim as simple as possible if you are involved in a car accident. If affordability is your concern and you’re asking yourself how much auto insurance do I need, then keep on reading to get a comprehensive answer to your question.

How does auto insurance work?

If you’re a first-time car owner, then the question “how does auto insurance work” might be haunting you. Car insurance functions by taking on a portion of the monetary risks related to operating and owning a vehicle.

A car insurance company will do this in exchange for a premium. Your insurance agent can assist you in determining what type and level of coverage best meet your needs, and after that agreement is reached, you purchase your policy by paying the premium.

An insurance policy is a contract based on a good faith agreement that if you are engaged in a covered claim, your insurance company will pay for losses based on your coverage and up to the limits you carry.

A deductible may apply to a certain coverage type. This is the amount of money you must spend out of pocket to use the coverage. This is frequently the case with comprehensive and collision insurance.

For example, if you have a $500 collision deductible, you are responsible for the first $500 in vehicle damage if you are at fault in an accident. Your insurance company will cover the remainder of the damage (up to the ACV of your vehicle). Your insurance provider may deduct the deductible from your payout amount at times.

Do I really need car insurance?

You need card insurance because the law mandates you to have auto insurance. 49 out of the 50 states of the United States require liability insurance. But what states do not require car insurance? New Hampshire is the only state that does not mandate auto insurance, but it does require you to demonstrate that you can fulfill the New Hampshire minimum financial responsibility requirements in the case of an accident.

49 of the 50 states mandate liability insurance. The regulations governing the necessity of liability insurance vary from state to state; some just mandate bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, while others include mandatory uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection.

Despite the variations in the standards, they all serve the same fundamental objective: to shield individuals from suffering financial loss as a result of another driver’s carelessness on the road. To ensure that you continue to adhere to your state’s obligations, it is crucial to keep up with its rules and regulations.

Which kinds of automobile insurance do I need?

The answer depends on a number of factors, including how much your car is worth, where you live, and what other items you need to protect. What you need to be aware of is as follows. You are required to buy the bare minimum amount of auto insurance required by your state.

However, state regulations are woefully inadequate and do not cover the cost of repairing your vehicle. You’ll have to invest in more than the bare minimum if you want better coverage. There are numerous possibilities for covering.

If you have a fundamental understanding of the most popular types of auto insurance, you may construct a strong coverage that satisfies your unique insurance requirements. A policy for auto insurance is essentially a collection of numerous separate insurances. The most typical examples are:

• Bodily injury liability
• Property damage liability
• Medical payments
• Personal injury protection
• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Some of these coverages can be necessary or optional, depending on the state in which you reside. Your lender can have additional conditions if you have an auto loan or lease. However, you might wish to get supplemental insurance to protect yourself above and beyond what your state or lender mandates.

Continue reading this article in detail if you want to get a comprehensive idea of how much auto insurance I need as we go through all the different types of coverage that’ll give you the best insurance bundle covering all your needs.

How much auto insurance do I need for each type of coverage?

You must purchase the bare minimum amount of automobile insurance mandated by your state. State requirements, however, are grossly insufficient and do not cover the costs of repairing your own vehicle. You’ll need to purchase more than the bare minimum if you want better coverage.

There are various coverage options available. You can create a solid policy that meets your individual insurance needs if you have a basic understanding of the most common types of auto insurance.

• Bodily injury liability insurance
• Property damage liability insurance
• Uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance
• Collision insurance
• Comprehensive insurance
• Personal injury protection
• Medical payments insurance

Bodily injury liability insurance

This insurance covers unintentional property damage and bodily injury to third parties. Medical costs, pain, suffering, and lost pay are all types of injury damages. Damaged goods and vehicles are considered to be property. Defense and court fees are also covered by this coverage.

You must obtain a minimum amount of liability insurance in accordance with state regulations, but you are always free to purchase more insurance. Here are a few examples of what liability insurance covers:

• At a red light, you hit the rear end of another car, causing damage to it.
• You run over your neighbor’s fence.
• The other driver gets hurt in an automobile accident that you caused.

How much does bodily injury liability insurance cost?

With the exception of New Hampshire and Virginia, almost every state has a minimum liability insurance requirement (although both states have some liability requirements under certain conditions). In California, for example, you must carry liability insurance with at least $15,000 in bodily injury coverage for one person, $30,000 in bodily injury coverage for multiple people in a single car accident, and $5,000 in property damage coverage (written as 15/30/5).

But here’s the catch: these amounts are insufficient if you cause a catastrophic vehicle accident. If you total someone else’s car, $5,000 in property damage won’t go you very far. And if you’re at fault in a car accident that results in several injuries, medical bills might quickly approach $30,000. Any amount in excess of your coverage limits is your responsibility.

Purchasing enough liability insurance to cover the amount you would lose in a lawsuit against you in the event that you cause a car accident is a decent general rule of thumb. A coverage with 250/500/100 would be a far better option in California than the required minimum.

Consider purchasing an umbrella insurance policy to provide additional liability coverage beyond your standard auto and house insurance plans. An umbrella policy is a reasonably priced way to add an extra $1 million (or more) in liability protection.

Property damage liability insurance

This coverage is designed to compensate for the repair of any property damage caused by the at-fault motorist. This could be used to repair damage to another car, a building, fences, mailboxes, or any other piece of property that may have been driven into by mistake.

If you are at fault in an accident and cause damage to many vehicles or severe damage to a building, your state’s minimal coverage may not be sufficient to cover all of the repairs. It will also be insufficient if you reside in a wealthy location with costly cars on the road, such as Los Angeles or Miami.

How much property damage liability insurance should I buy?

Almost every state requires you to obtain some level of property damage coverage, just like they do with bodily injury liability. On your policy, it is shown as the third number in the series, so a 25/50/20 policy would offer coverage for $20,000 in total. Some states mandate that you carry only $10,000 or $5,000 in property damage liability insurance, but $20,000 or $25,000 is the norm.

Once more, you might want to go beyond the legal minimum. However, you usually don’t run the same financial risk as you would in an accident when there are major injuries unless you collide with a Lamborghini or Rolls-Royce. $50,000 is a standard amount of property damage insurance that is advised, or more if you have significant assets to safeguard.

Uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance

Even though liability insurance is mandated by state law, not all drivers actually carry it. In 2019, one in every eight drivers, or an estimated 12.6%, lacked insurance. Even though many other drivers have some insurance, it is sometimes insufficient to pay for the costs of a catastrophic accident.

This kind of coverage can help in that situation. If an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver causes you harm or damages your vehicle, it may provide coverage for you and your family. Uninsured motorist coverage pays for

• Health-related costs for both you and your passengers
• Lost wages if you are unable to work due to injuries you sustained in a car accident
• Funeral expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Car damage (depending on your state)

How much uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage should I buy?

Uninsured motorist coverage is required in several states (UM). Some states also mandate underinsured motorist coverage (UIM). In Maryland, for example, drivers must have uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury liability insurance coverage of at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.

It also needs at least $15,000 in property damage coverage for uninsured motorists. If your state mandates uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can purchase more than the minimum. This coverage is also available in some states where it is not required.

If you are not required to get uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you may want to consider it if the coverage you now have is insufficient to pay your bills if you are involved in a catastrophic accident. For example, if you lack proper health insurance or medical coverage through your auto insurance policy, it may be worthwhile to add it.

Collision insurance

The first component of full coverage auto insurance, this policy is intended to pay for vehicle repairs if you are at fault in an accident. Collision coverage isn’t required by law, but it’s always required by lenders if you’ve leased the vehicle or owe money on a loan.

Choosing how much collision coverage you’ll need is significantly easier than selecting the other coverages. You already know how much coverage you require because you know how much your vehicle is worth.

How much collision insurance should I buy?

States do not compel drivers to carry collision insurance. If you have a car loan or are leasing it, your lender may require it. You can cancel your coverage once you have paid off your loan or returned your leased vehicle.

Even if it is not needed, you may wish to purchase collision insurance for troublesome situations, like if you get into an accident and struggle to pay a large repair price out of pocket after it for damages to your car. In such situations, collision coverage could prove to be quite beneficial.

You should also think about how much your car is worth. Collision coverage normally has a deductible of $250 to $1,000 and is priced according to the value of your automobile. Accordingly, if the cost of replacing your car was $20,000, you would pay the first $250 to $1,000, depending on the deductible you selected when you purchased your insurance, and the insurer would be responsible for the remaining $19,000 to $19,750.

However, you might want to think about eliminating collision coverage when the value of your car declines over time. You might be paying a lot for very little coverage between the price of your annual premiums and the deductible you’d have to fund out of pocket following an accident. Event insurance providers will advise you to eliminate collision coverage if your automobile is just worth a few thousand dollars or less.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive coverage, again, is a type of insurance that will be required by your lender but will not be required by law in any state. It is intended to cover damage to your car brought on by events that are regarded to be outside of your control.

If your car is stolen, vandalized, or suffers damage as a result of one of the covered perils, like a hurricane, flood, tornado, or other natural disaster, coverage may take effect. Additionally, the value of your car or the balance of the loan should be covered by this insurance.

How much comprehensive coverage should I buy?

As with comprehensive coverage, states do not mandate collision coverage; but if you have an auto loan or lease, your lender might. Again, you can discontinue the coverage after your loan has been repaid or your rented vehicle has been returned.

You should consider your ability to pay out of pocket if your automobile is stolen and you have to buy a new one or if it is damaged and you are forced to pay for the repair costs when determining whether to purchase comprehensive coverage if it is not required. You should also take into account the value of your car in relation to the yearly premiums for insurance.

Personal injury protection

Personal injury insurance (PIP) pays for medical expenditures for you and your passengers regardless of who is at fault in the vehicle collision. It also covers other costs such as missed wages, burial expenses, and replacement services such as cleaning or child care that you are unable to provide due to your injury. Some states require PIP as part of their “no-fault auto insurance” rules, whilst in others, PIP is available as an optional policy type.

How much PIP insurance should I buy?

States such as Florida have a $10,000 per person legal requirement for PIP coverage, although this may not be sufficient. We recommend having at least $50,000 per person if your state allows it, as it functions similarly to bodily injury liability. PIP rules vary by the state where it is offered. For example, for Florida car insurance, PIP options range from basic to extended:

• Basic covers 80% of your medical bills and 60% of lost wages and replacement services
• Extended covers 100% of medical bills and 80% of lost wages and replacement services

If PIP is optional in your state, you can choose to decline it if you have a good health insurance plan. But PIP has some perks your health insurance won’t provide, such as reimbursement for services and lost wages.

Medical payments insurance

The term “MedPay” refers to medical payment coverage. It works in the same way as PIP in that it covers medical bills and other expenditures for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused the car accident. Some states mandate MedPay. For example, if you get vehicle insurance in Pennsylvania, Maine, or New Hampshire, you must have MedPay.

How much medical payment should I buy?

In states where MedPay is available, it’s usually sold in small amounts of coverage that often range between $1,000 and $5,000. However, it does not compensate for missed wages. It also solely covers you rather than you and your passengers, but it takes effect regardless of who is at fault. In many states, it is optional because your health insurance should pay the costs.

What states require additional PIP, and UM coverage?

Uninsured motorist (UM) and/or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is required in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C. are among them.

Although New Hampshire does not mandate motor liability insurance, drivers must demonstrate financial responsibility in order to cover accident damages and get insurance, which may include UM coverage.

Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is required in thirteen states. Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, and Pennsylvania are among them.

Even while the rules for vehicle insurance vary from state to state, the main goal for imposing insurance on the citizens of the respective states is to shield its people from suffering financial injury as a result of another driver’s carelessness on the road. To ensure that you continue to adhere to your state’s obligations, it is crucial to keep up with its rules and regulations.

What are some optional car insurance coverage types?

If you are wondering, “how much auto insurance do I need” then you might also want to take a peek at the optional coverage options. A good car insurance policy should include liability insurance, uninsured motorist protection, medical payments coverage, and collision and comprehensive insurance. But to fill in some gaps, you might need a few extra forms of covering.

In addition to the basic coverage that comprises a full coverage policy, the majority of significant auto insurance providers also provide additional coverage alternatives. Roadside assistance may be one of them, paying for services like tire replacements, jump starts, and towing, or new car replacement coverage, which pays for a replacement if your new car is totaled, usually during the first year or two of ownership.

You could also think about gap insurance, which will pay out the remaining lease or loan payments if your automobile is totaled and you still owe more money on it than it’s worth. Some vehicle insurance companies give personal item coverage, which covers personal goods in your car if they are destroyed or stolen, as well as separate rental car replacement coverage, which pays for a rental car if yours is in the shop following a covered loss.

If you drive for a rideshare company, you might also want to check to see if your insurance company provides rideshare coverage to safeguard you when your app is active, but you are not currently carrying a passenger. The following are some additional insurances you might want to add to your existing insurance plan to get better financial security:

• Gap Insurance: Gap insurance pays the difference between the actual cash value (ACV) of your car and the amount you still owe on the loan or lease if it is totaled due to an issue covered by your policy, such as a car accident or fire. This coverage, for instance, fills in the $2,000 gap if your car is worth $13,000, but your loan balance is $15,000, as an example.
• Rental reimbursement insurance: This coverage covers the cost of a rental automobile or alternate modes of transportation, such as train and bus fares, while your car is being repaired as a result of a problem covered by your policy.
• Roadside assistance insurance: This covers services like a tow truck, jump start, fuel delivery, or a locksmith should your car break down or you encounter another issue (such as locking your keys in your car).
• Umbrella Policy: If you don’t believe that the maximum limits of property damage and bodily injury liability would be sufficient to safeguard your assets in a serious accident, you might want to get umbrella insurance. In addition to your usual auto insurance liability limits, umbrella policies offer minimum liability coverage of $1,000,000 in total.
• Non-Owner Insurance: A non-owner insurance plan may be required if you don’t own a car but still occasionally drive to offer liability coverage in the event of an accident.
• Usage-Based/Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance: Your auto insurance provider may keep track of your driving habits, including speed and distance traveled, and provide you savings on your coverage in exchange for being a better driver. But because this could have unanticipated implications, it’s wise to investigate before making a purchase.
• Additionally, if you cause an accident, liability insurance pays for expenses like medical bills or repairs for other people.

What is the best level of coverage, and what is 100/300/100?

The 100 and 300 in a 100/300/100- auto insurance policy refer to the insurance coverage policy’s bodily injury liability limits (in thousands). If you have coverage levels of 100/300/100, it’s an excellent recommendation, but what exactly does that mean?

• 100 — The first figure in your liability coverage is the most your insurance provider will pay for a single person’s bodily injury claim. In this case, the 100 signifies $100,000 in insurance coverage.
• 300 — The second figure in your liability coverage is the most your insurance company will pay for bodily injury claims in the event of a total accident. This does not, however, exceed your per-person limit. So, if you hit someone and they require $126,000 in medical care, you will be liable for the extra $26,000 above your $100,000 per person limit, even though you have a $300,000 per accident limit.
• 100 — The third number in your liability policy is the maximum amount your insurance carrier will pay for property damage claims in an at-fault accident. In this case, the 100 signifies $100,000 in coverage.

Even if you are unable to pay at least 100/300/100 in liability coverage, you should still go for the highest level of protection you can manage. Instead of automatically selecting the state minimums, you might want to choose 50/100/50 if that is the highest you can go.

On the other hand, if your insurance provider offers higher levels of coverage and you can afford to pay for more than 100/300/100, you may choose to do so. There are some high-end vehicles on the road, and the average amount for injuries in a collision is $52,900. Higher insurance coverage levels are crucial for your financial security.

How to understand your auto insurance needs to get affordable coverage?

You shouldn’t necessarily get the minimal level of insurance that your state mandates just because it is required by law. Actually, the majority of drivers buy more insurance than their state mandates in order to be protected against a range of issues, not just a fender bender. Consider these five recommendations to help determine your needs for auto insurance:

• Know your state laws: You don’t need to get additional types of auto insurance if you can’t afford to because liability insurance is the only type of coverage that is required in 47 states.
• Know your options: There are numerous automobile insurance alternatives, but the secret to ensuring that you are properly covered is understanding what you most likely will need. In the event that your automobile is damaged, do you want coverage for a rental car? Do you want an extended warranty that will cover labor and components in the event that your automobile breaks down? If your vehicle is leased, you will likely need gap insurance, which covers the difference in your insurer’s settlement and the amount left on your lease balance in the event of a total loss.
• Know how much money you want to spend: You can now combine the many types of auto insurance coverage into a single comprehensive policy if you are familiar with your state’s regulations and have evaluated your own needs. Remember to test out various scenarios, such as will my insurance pay if I total someone else’s car? What will I be required to pay out of pocket? The coverage that gives you the most sense of security in the event of an accident will depend on the answers to these kinds of questions.
• Know your vehicle: Would you be able to afford to buy a new automobile if yours were totaled? If not, you need collision and comprehensive insurance. The worth of your car is typically a factor in the choice to purchase this coverage. You will need to analyze certain aspects of your needs in order to know your requirements.
• Know about your other insurance: Many consumers are unaware that other insurance policies, such as health insurance and homeowners insurance, may cover motor accident-related expenses. For instance, if you have comprehensive health insurance, you likely won’t need more Personal Injury Protection than what is legally necessary (PIP). To avoid purchasing extra insurance, make sure you are aware of the coverage you currently have.

What goes into auto insurance rates?

In order to reduce your premiums, it is essential to understand auto insurance rates. The average cost of auto insurance for full coverage is $1,771 per year, although costs can vary greatly depending on where you reside. For instance, Maine gives the cheapest full coverage premium, costing $876 per year, while drivers in Louisiana pay the highest on average for full coverage auto insurance at $2,864 per year.

Age, the credit score (in jurisdictions where it can be taken into account), location, driving record, and vehicle type are additional pricing factors that affect how much auto insurance will cost you.

Consider beginning your search by obtaining quotes from many of the finest car insurance providers to determine which company can provide you with the most affordable coverage for your needs. This will ensure that you receive the correct coverage at the best possible price.

It is impossible to evaluate your rate in relation to that of your friends or family because there are so many rate-affecting variables. The prices for you and your friend could be very different even though you both live in the same neighborhood and drive the same car.

What’s the minimum car insurance you need?

If you are having difficulty in determining how much auto insurance you are required to have according to your requirements and the standards set by the law of the state, then take the following steps to figure out what’s the minimum car insurance you need:

1. Discover the minimum standards in your state. This can be sufficient if you have a straightforward automobile loan and low net worth.
2. Check the requirements of your lender if you have a loan or lease.
3. Calculate the value of your possessions (including the car as well as savings, home, and business).

Why do your assets matter in auto insurance?

A court may force you to make up the difference even if you have to use all of your funds or sell your possessions if you are engaged in an incident with more damages than your insurance can cover. In comparison to the financial impact of a costly collision or disaster, supplementary insurance is rather inexpensive.

What deductible should you choose?

The amount you fork out of pocket to cover auto claims is your deductible. The good news is that your liability coverage has no deductible, but your comprehensive and collision insurance policies will need you to select a deductible level.

Typically, you have a range of $100 to $1,000 to choose from for your deductible; the larger your deductible, the less you’ll pay each month for insurance. Your auto insurance premiums will go down if you can save $1,000 in case you need to make a claim.

Does it make sense to have liability-only coverage?

There are some situations where having liability insurance only makes sense. For low-income drivers who want auto insurance but have a tight budget, liability-only insurance is an affordable alternative. It might not be worthwhile to obtain comprehensive or collision coverage if your car doesn’t have much financial value.

If a driver has the cash available to replace their vehicle out of pocket, they might not choose to pay the higher premium for full coverage insurance. According to what is known as the 10% rule, you can (and it’s usually a good idea) decrease your comprehensive and collision coverage if the annual cost for full coverage is more than 10% of the vehicle’s actual cash value.

How can I save on auto insurance?

If you’ve asked the question of how much auto insurance do I need, then you are probably also wondering how you can save on auto insurance. As costs vary by insurer and ZIP code (as some states provide cheap auto insurance), it’s imperative to compare vehicle insurance policies in your area to discover the best deals. Compared to their rivals, some of the least expensive auto insurance providers provide far more economical solutions.

In addition to comparison shopping, there are other things you can do to reduce the cost of your insurance, such as determining how much coverage you actually need and buying accordingly. It is beneficial to check for auto insurance reductions. Below are a few frequently used auto insurance discounts:

• Good driving discount
• Defensive driving course discount
• Low mileage discount
• Telematics discount
• Good student discount
• Driver’s training discount
• Multi-car discount
• Military or veteran’s discount
• Bundling discount

To reduce their rate, some consumers enhance their collision and comprehensive deductibles. Although it is true that certain coverages are less expensive when the deductible is higher, this approach may not be the ideal one for everyone. It’s generally not a smart idea to select a deductible amount you cannot afford because car insurance is about reducing your financial risk.

Conclusion

If you were wondering, “how much auto insurance do I need,” then you’ve probably gotten your answer by now, but in short, it is advisable for all drivers to have at least 100/300/100 in liability insurance. If you are unable to pay this amount of liability insurance, you should consider carrying the highest level of liability protection you can.

You may want to obtain collision and comprehensive coverage if you have a new automobile, a luxury car, or an expensive vehicle in order to lower your financial risk as a driver. You can also carry gap coverage if your car has debt on it.

Shopping around with many companies is the greatest method to obtain reasonably priced auto insurance that provides the security you require. To compare auto insurance rates effectively, we advise obtaining three quotations from several insurance providers.