What to Know About Auto Insurance in Houston

by | Jan 24, 2014 | Insurance

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Auto insurance in Houston is a required coverage of all drivers in Texas. In most states, every driver must take out a policy when they buy a vehicle. Auto insurance in Houston gives at-fault drivers protection against accidents and damages. You may attempt to drive without it, but the legal consequences can be serious. If you are caught without car insurance, you could lose your license or even have your vehicle impounded. Some consumers go without coverage because it can be confusing deciding what they need versus the requirements.

When you are looking for a provider, find out what is required in your state. Each state requires different levels of coverage. It helps to understand the types of coverage to decide whether you should buy beyond the minimum requirements. Bodily injury offers coverage for injuries to third parties in which are found to be at fault. It is ideal to buy more than the required coverage amount so your assets will be protected in case of in case of injuries that exceed the minimum amount. Coverage amounts for bodily injury are written as $10,000/$20,000, for example. The figures represent the amounts per person and per accident. These are the highest amounts the injured parties would receive.

Medical payments, or personal injury protection, pays for your hospital expenses, as well as passengers who ride with you or pedestrians. It, likewise, compensates for any lost wages. However, it will only cover part of the cost. Collision coverage will cover the loss of your vehicle in an accident even when only your vehicle is involved. For example, if the road is slick and you hit a tree, your vehicle is still covered. Comprehensive may be required if you are making payments on a vehicle. Comprehensive overage pays for damages not caused by accidents like flooding, fire, or theft. For example, if a storm knocks out your windows, your car would be covered for damages.

One way to determine the amount of coverage you need is the age of your vehicle and your budget. Anything you add will increase the cost. Older vehicles may not need collision or comprehensive coverage since repairs could exceed their value. However, it is better having more coverage than not enough.

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