The Basics of Car Insurance

Liability Coverage (BI & PD)

Liability coverage offers peace of mind. If you are at fault in an accident that’s covered by your auto policy and other people or property are injured or damaged, liability coverage helps protect you and pay the cost of these damages.

We strongly recommend a minimum of 100/300 coverage for Bodily Injury (BI) Liability. With this coverage your policy would pay up to $100k per person or $300k for all parties involved for the following expenses:

• Medical expenses for bodily injury
• Emergency aid at the accident scene
• Compensation for lost income
• Legal defense fees
• Funeral expenses

As an agency with experience we recommend a minimum of 100k coverage for Property Damage (PD) Liability. This coverage helps pay for damage to another driver’s property if damaged in an accident where you are found at fault. This can include:

• Damage to homes, stores or other structured damaged during the accident
• Vehicle repair or replacement

Medical Payment Coverage (Med Pay)

Medical payment coverage helps pay for medical expenses for accident-related injuries, no matter who is at-fault. These expenses can include hospital stays, doctor visits, x-rays, surgery, ambulance, and funeral expenses. Medical payment coverage is provided for you, your passengers, and your family members.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)

This coverage helps pay for medical expenses when the other driver has little-to-no insurance. A recent survey found that 1 in 6 Southwest Florida drivers either have no insurance or carry the state minimum. We recommend a minimum of 100/300 protection for UM.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection coverage (or PIP) not only covers reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses, it can also help you with income continuation, loss of services, and funeral expenses. $10,000 PIP is required under Florida law.

Collision Coverage

Protects your car if you’re in an accident that involves a “collision” with other cars or objects (trees, etc). Collision coverage helps pay for repairs to your vehicle up to the ACV (actual cash value) of your car.

Note: Collision coverage typically carries a deductible, and in most cases the higher the deductible the lower your premium. However, a higher deductible will require you to pay more in the event of a loss.

As an agency with over 25 years of experience we are able to review various quotes and help determine the best deductible for your personal situation and goals.

Comprehensive Coverage

This coverage helps pay for losses that result from accidents that are “not a collision”. This can include hurricanes, vandalism, or even a tree falling on your vehicle. This coverage would also provide coverage for broken glass or windshields.

Like Collision, Comprehensive coverage also typically carries a deductible, and can affect your premium based on how high or low of a deductible you chose.

Note: For accidentally cracked/chipped windshields or broken glass NO DEDUCTIBLE will apply.

Other Coverages

• Towing and Labor – This option will help reimburse you for the expense of towing your vehicle, as well as other basic roadside services.
• Rental Car Reimbursement – This option will reimburse you for the cost of a rental vehicle after an accident, while your car is being repaired.