Car Insurance Basics

Get all your car insurance questions answered here. Find out more about policy fundamentals, insurance rules of thumb, ways to save, and more.
A man drives a car with a woman in the passenger seat. Both wear sunglasses and big smiles, as sun shines in through the passenger side window.
Car Rental Insurance: What To Watch Out For
A smiling woman with natural hair and sunglasses drives her car
What Is a Car Insurance Endorsement?
Couple in taxi booked with ride share app
Rideshare Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide for Drivers
Mechanic inspecting for aftermarket or OEM parts on car
What Are Aftermarket Parts?
Man in blue flannel shirt on the phone at a table holding lots of paperwork.
What Is Collateral Protection Insurance?
Two mechanics debate the costs of repairing a car under comprehensive car insurance.
What Is Comprehensive Auto Insurance?
Young friends enjoying the freedom on a Car Trip over a country offroad
How Do Make and Model Affect Car Insurance?
A young man smiles as he drives his car and his girlfriend sits in the passenger seat
What Is No-Down-Payment Auto Insurance?
A girl sits on a couch with her broken leg propped up on a pillow, holding an ipad and waving to someone on a video call
What Is PIP Insurance?
A bicyclist holds his helmeted head while sitting in the street after being hit by a car. The driver of the car runs toward him.
What Is Auto Insurance Bodily Injury Coverage?
Young woman looking at cars in a showroom.
What Is Depreciation?
Woman and dog in a car
What Is Non-Owner Insurance?
Two frustrated drivers assess the scene after a severe fender bender
What Is Liability Auto Insurance?
Police and a driver at a car accident scene with a damaged silver car
Everything You Need To Know About Gap Insurance
Van with roof tent in the nature
What Is Car Depreciation?
Image shows accident forgiveness quick facts: This feature of an auto insurance policy protects your driving record and prevents your insurance premium from going up due to an accident you caused. Offered by many, but not all, major car insurance providers. Whether you qualify depends on your previous record of accidents and speeding tickets.
What Is Accident Forgiveness?
Man on cellphone watches car being towed after accident
A Guide to Auto Collision Insurance
three types of diminished value: immediate diminished value, inherent diminished value, and repair-related diminished value
Diminished Value and Insurance: How to Get Full Value in a Claim
How to Cancel Your Car Insurance: It's important to formally cancel with a current insurance company.Call your insurance agent (a signature will likely be required). Mail or fax in a request cancellation with your name, policy number, and your signature. Stop by your agent’s office in person. Ask your new insurance agent to cancel your old policy. Make sure you receive a letter confirming cancellation.
4 Ways to Cancel Your Auto Insurance Policy
Image shows a map and four images: three of which are tow trucks taking cars, and the fourth is a car at a garage. text reads: "Average towing costs: 100-mile tow ($250-$600). 40-Mile tow ($100-$250). 5- to 7-mile tow ($30-$100). Tow charge: $2.50-$7.00"
How Much Might A Tow Cost You?
A woman holding a smartphone photographs damage to a car while in the background a man and two first responders have a discussion.
What Is Auto Insurance Medical Payments Coverage?
Car mechanic using computer in auto repair shop
What Do You Do with Your Car Insurance When Your Car is Broken Down?
Best car insurance
How to Lower Your Car Insurance Costs
Woman on cell phone at car accident scene
What Is Full Coverage Auto Insurance?
Woman on a phone, getting ready for a trip
Do You Need Insurance to Rent a Car?
A woman is looking under the hood of her car.
Will My Car Insurance Cover Damage From Rats?
Car key on pile of one hundred dollar bills
What is a Loss Payee on an Insurance Policy?
stressed woman in car
What Is Collision Coverage?
Woman on cell phone at car accident scene
What Is an At-Fault Accident?
Man giving girlfriend keys to car
What Do I Need to Register My Car?
Woman on cell phone at car accident scene
6 Reasons for a Vehicle to Have a Salvage Title
Damaged bumpers from car accident requiring a collision coverage policy
What's the Difference Between Comprehensive and Collision Coverage?
A woman sits in the driver's seat of her car, checking her phone for directions
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Man Signing Car Insurance Form
How Much Is Car Insurance?
A couple discussing coverage with an independent insurance agent in an office setting.
The Benefits of Working With an Independent Insurance Agent
Teen learning to drive with mom
What You Need to Know About Learner's Permit Insurance
Two smiling young women wearing sunglasses in car
Can You Get Car Insurance for One Day?
A woman is driving through a wooded area.
How Do I Find Out if I Have Car Insurance?
A woman is adjusting the rear-view mirror before she drives.
Don't Hurt Your Financial Future with a Car Insurance Lapse
exchanging insurance details
What You Need to Know About a Proof of Insurance Card for Your Vehicle
A woman is sitting on her porch and looking at her cell phone.
Car Insurance Canceled? Here's How to Get It Reinstated Fast
Man smiling and looking out of the window of his car
What Is Car Storage Insurance?
Shaking hands
Do You Have a Car Crew?
Man looking at car
Which Car Is Right for You?
Man sitting near new car wondering where to purchase gap insurance
Purchasing Gap Insurance? Tips and Options to Choose From.
Woman making a phone call about damage on her car
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements by State
Woman driving while sitting beside man in car
Temporary Car Insurance: What Are Your Options?
Senior men repairing car engine
How to Choose Your Auto Insurance Deductible
Total Loss Accident
Is Gap Insurance Worth It?
Man involved in car accident takes photos for an insurance claim
What Is Personal Liability and Property Damage Insurance?
A person writing notes about a rear-ended black car after a crash
What You Need To Know About Salvage Title Insurance
Image shows two people going over the costs associated with mechanical breakdown insurance. Text reads: "Quick facts: mechanical breakdown insurance. Bought as an add-on to regular car insurance to cover potential mechanical problems. Ranges anywhere in price from $300 to a couple thousand dollars, depending on year and model of car. Typically covers components like engine parts, brakes, and transmission. Does not cover routine maintenance or damage from car accidents."
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) vs. Extended Warranty on Your Car
Auto accident involving two cars on a city street
File a Police Report After a Car Accident
Driver and passenger with hands up in a convertible, driving down a highway
Did You Know That Some States Do Not Require Car Insurance?
Two smiling men sitting in a car
How To Lower Your Auto Insurance Premium Any Time of Year
Woman standing near a car on a street, talking to an insurance adjuster after being involved in a car accident.
When Do You Need To Hire a Public Insurance Adjuster?
Couple working at home
The Pros and Cons of Bundling Auto and Renters Insurance
Insurance agent discussing named insureds.
What Is a Named Insured Driver?
Two damaged cars after a collision
What Is Actual Cash Value?
Image shows five cars in a parking lot and how much it costs to insure them per year: a honda odyssey LX ($1,112), jeep renegade sport ($1,138), jeep wrangler black bear ($1,148), honda cr-v lx ($1,170), and jeep compass ($1,183)." Title reads: "The 5 Cheapest Cars to Insure"
Cheapest Cars to Insure: Save Hundreds of Dollars on Your Car Costs