Looking for Personal Vehicle Insurance?

All states except New Hampshire require minimum liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage caused to others, with minimum limits varying by state (typically $25,000-$50,000 per person for injury, $50,000-$100,000 per accident, and $10,000-$25,000 for property damage). Some states also require personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Lenders financing vehicles require collision and comprehensive coverage protecting the vehicle itself until the loan is paid off.

Personal auto insurance costs vary widely based on driver age, location, vehicle type, driving record, credit score, and coverage levels. National average is approximately $1,500-$2,000 annually for full coverage on a standard vehicle, though young drivers can pay $3,000-$6,000+ annually while experienced drivers with clean records may pay $800-$1,200 annually. Urban areas cost more than rural, luxury vehicles cost more than economy cars, and comprehensive coverage costs significantly more than state minimums.

Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from accidents with other vehicles or objects (hitting another car, rolling your vehicle, hitting a pole), regardless of who's at fault. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, hail, flood, fire, hitting an animal, or falling objects. Both have deductibles you choose (typically $250-$1,000), and together they provide full physical damage protection for your vehicle.

Standard personal auto policies exclude or limit coverage for business use of vehicles, including delivery services (food delivery, rideshare, courier work), transporting goods for sale, or using your vehicle for any commercial purpose. If you use your vehicle for business activities, you need commercial auto coverage or specific endorsements. Commuting to/from a regular job is typically covered under personal policies.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient insurance to cover your damages and injuries. This coverage pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle damage when the at-fault driver cannot. In many states, UM/UIM is required or offered automatically, and it's highly recommended since approximately 13% of drivers nationwide are uninsured.

You can reduce personal auto insurance costs by maintaining a clean driving record, bundling auto with home insurance, increasing deductibles, taking advantage of discounts (good student, defensive driving, low mileage, safety features), improving credit scores, and comparing rates from multiple insurers every 1-2 years. Dropping comprehensive and collision on older vehicles worth less than 10 times your deductible can also save money.