Bodily injury liability
Generally applies to injuries to other people when you are found at fault in an accident. Most states require a minimum amount, and limits are usually expressed as a per-person and per-accident figure.
Coverage Guide
Auto insurance coverage types, explained in plain language.
This guide is educational. It describes how coverage types generally work so you can ask better questions. Actual terms, availability, and definitions are set by each licensed insurance provider and by your state.
Common coverage types
Property damage liability
Generally applies to damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property. Like bodily injury liability, it is typically subject to a state-required minimum limit.
Collision
Typically covers damage to your own vehicle from a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault, subject to a deductible you select.
Comprehensive
Often called 'other than collision.' It commonly addresses events such as theft, fire, hail, falling objects, and animal strikes, also subject to a deductible.
Uninsured / underinsured motorist
Designed to help when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover the loss. Availability and structure vary by state.
Medical payments / personal injury protection
May help with medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident. Personal injury protection is required in some states and unavailable in others.
Roadside assistance and rental reimbursement
Optional add-ons that some providers offer for towing, lockouts, or a rental vehicle while yours is being repaired after a covered loss.
Deductibles and limits
A deductible is the amount you agree to absorb before coverage responds. A limit is the maximum a provider will pay for a covered loss. Both shape how a policy behaves in a claim.
How to read a policy
Start with the declarations page. It lists the vehicles, drivers, coverage types, limits, and deductibles that apply to your policy. Everything else in the document explains how those items behave.
Next, read the exclusions. Exclusions describe situations a policy does not address, and they are often where surprises come from. Finally, review the conditions section, which explains your responsibilities after a loss, such as reporting timelines.
If any of this is unclear, that is a good topic for a consultation. We can walk through the structure with you before you speak with a licensed provider.
This page provides general educational information only. It is not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and it does not describe the terms of any specific policy. Coverage availability, definitions, and terms are determined solely by the licensed insurance provider and may vary by state and by policy.