Car insurance is necessary for drivers in Washington, as well as 47 other states. There are jurisdiction-specific requirements that dictate the minimum amount of coverage you must obtain.
However, according to the Wall Street Journal, the minimum required coverage may not be sufficient. To determine what is sufficient, it may be helpful for you to understand the different types of coverages that your policy may include.
Comprehensive versus collision
Comprehensive coverage includes loss or damage to your vehicle unrelated to an accident. Theft would be one example. Collision coverage, on the other hand, only covers repairs to your vehicle after an accident.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Ordinarily, if another driver crashes into you, his or her insurance policy will reimburse you for damages to your person and property. Unfortunately, however, not everyone obeys the requirement to obtain insurance, and others fail to secure sufficient coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage serves to protect you and cover your damages in such a circumstance.
Property damage liability
If you are at fault for an accident, this coverage will reimburse the other driver for damages to his or her vehicle. It may also cover any other property that was in the car at the time.
Bodily injury liability
Similar to property damage liability, this coverage goes to cover medical expenses for people hurt in an accident in which you are at fault.
Personal injury protection
Regardless of who is at fault, personal injury protection will cover medical expenses for you and any passengers in your vehicle injured in a car accident. In Washington, PIP coverage is optional, but no-fault states often require it.
The information in this article is not intended as legal advice but provided for educational purposes only.