Car Insurance: Know the basics of your policy.

Let's be honest, most people don't know a whole lot about their car insurance policy. You know that you are legally required to have it to drive your vehicle but have no idea what type of coverage you should have, what coverages exist and when they apply. So here are a few important coverages to catch you up on so you know the basics.

• Liability Coverage: If you are involved in a car accident and you are at fault, this coverage responds to take care of the other drivers’ medical expenses and damage to their vehicle. This will protect you from being sued by the other driver for their damages and allow your insurance company to negotiate a settlement with them.
• Comprehensive or Other Than Collision Coverage: If you live in Wooster, Ohio or the surrounding area, you know that Fall means two things Football and Deer. Comprehensive coverage will take care of your vehicle in the event you hit a deer or another wild animal. Damage caused to your vehicle from fire, theft, wind, hail and falling objects (branch falls on your car) are normally covered perils under this coverage. A deductible applies to this coverage and normally you can choose a deductible between $100 and $1,000 
• Collision Coverage: This coverage is for the damage done to your vehicle in the event you are involved in an accident and collide with another vehicle or stationary object. It is important to mention that in cases where the other driver is at fault, their liability coverage would respond to cover the damage done to your vehicle or any injuries you sustained. A deductible applies to this coverage as well and normally you can choose a deductible between $100 and $1,000
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage: This will protect you in the event you are involved in an accident and injured by another driver who was at fault and they do not have insurance or do not have enough insurance to cover the injuries you sustained. According to its latest research conducted in 2015, the Insurance Information Institute stated that 12.4% of drivers in Ohio are uninsured.
• Medical Payments Coverage: This coverage is written to cover any medical bills incurred by you or any of the passengers in your vehicle if you are injured in an accident. This coverage applies regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
• Transportation Expense: If you need a rental vehicle while your vehicle is being repaired, due to a covered loss, transportation expense coverage will cover the cost of the rental car. When you purchase the policy, you can select the daily limit (normally starts at $20 a day) that the company will pay for each day you have the rental. There will also be a limit on the maximum amount the company will reimburse you for. 

So now that you know the basics of auto insurance coverage, look at your existing policy and make sure these coverages are in place. Nothing is worse than having an accident and wondering if you had the right coverage. For more information call Hancock Insurance in Wooster and one of our agents will walk you through coverage options available to you.