Before You Drive, Know What’s in Your Policy
When I bought my first car, I remember signing my auto insurance paperwork without really knowing what I was signing up for. I just wanted to drive — and stay legal.
It wasn’t until I got into a minor fender bender a year later that I realized:
“Wait... what does my insurance actually cover?”
If you’ve ever wondered the same, you’re not alone. Car insurance can feel like a confusing mix of terms and fine print — but once you understand the basics, it all starts to make a lot more sense.
Let’s break down the 6 main types of auto insurance coverage — and why they matter.
1. 🚑 Bodily Injury Liability
This coverage helps pay for injuries you cause to other people in an accident.
Let’s say you accidentally rear-end someone and they end up needing medical treatment. Bodily injury liability helps cover their hospital bills, physical therapy, and even legal costs if they sue you.
✅ Why it matters: Medical care is expensive — this protects you from paying huge costs out-of-pocket.
2. 🚗 Property Damage Liability
This covers damage you cause to someone else’s property, like their car, mailbox, fence, or storefront.
So if you misjudge a turn and bump into a parked car or back into a neighbor’s fence, this coverage helps cover the repairs.
✅ Why it matters: It’s required in almost every state, and it keeps you from paying out of pocket for someone else’s repairs.
3. 🏥 Medical Payments (MedPay)
MedPay helps cover your medical bills — and your passengers’ — no matter who was at fault.
It can help pay for things like ambulance rides, emergency care, or follow-up appointments after an accident.
✅ Why it matters: Even minor crashes can leave you with big bills. MedPay gives you fast support without needing to go through another driver’s insurance.
4. 🛠️ Collision Coverage
This one’s all about your car. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident — whether you hit another car, a tree, a pole, or even a pothole.
✅ Why it matters: If you rely on your car daily, this keeps you from being stuck (literally) if you don’t have the cash to fix it.
5. 🌪️ Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive covers the things that can happen when you’re not even driving.
Think theft, vandalism, hailstorms, broken windows, falling trees, or even hitting a deer.
✅ Why it matters: Life is unpredictable. This coverage gives you peace of mind for those “did that really just happen?” moments.
6. 🚫 Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Unfortunately, not everyone on the road has insurance — or enough of it.
If someone hits you and can’t pay for the damage, this coverage helps cover your medical and repair costs.
✅ Why it matters: It protects you when the other person’s insurance isn’t there to help.
So, What Do You Really Need?
The answer depends on your car, your lifestyle, and your budget — but understanding these six types is the best place to start.
At RISE Insurance, we’re here to help you build a policy that fits your needs. We’ll walk you through each part, explain what you already have, and help you fill any gaps — no jargon, no pressure.
📞 Ready to review your coverage? Call us at 423-541-1111
