The state laws of every state in the USA require that you carry Car Liability Insurance on your vehicle. This coverage pays for damage that you cause to persons or property in an automobile accident when you are at fault. The laws regarding this insurance are determined by the individual states. This means that the requirement varies by state. In some states you will find that the state minimums are lower than in other states.
Liability insurance is not only required by law, it is needed to protect your other properties. If you have an accident that causes major damage to persons or property and you are inadequately insured, the person suffering the loss can file a lawsuit against you. If they prevail, then a judgment can be filed against you. A lien can be filed against any of your properties to satisfy that judgment. This lien can prevent you from refinancing your property and if you sell the property, the lien must be satisfied before you receive any money for the property that is sold.
When you purchase liability insurance it the policy is often referred to in three numbers, such as 10/20/10. These numbers would indicate that the policy offers ten thousand dollars in personal injury protection for each person that is involved in the accident with a cap of twenty thousand dollars per accident. Additionally, the coverage would pay up to ten thousand dollars in property damage. While these limits seem low, there are states that actually have lower limits.
It is common for a states limits to be lower than the actual amount of insurance than is needed. A good insurance agents can help you to know the correct amount of insurance to protect you other investments.
If you are unsure of the required amount of liability insurance that is required by your state, you should check with your department of motor vehicles. They can let you know the requirements for your state. In addition, you should check to see what the penalties are for driving without insurance. In many states, the insurance company is now required to report to the DMV if you insurance lapses for even one day.
States are finally penalizing persons with more than a slap on the hand for driving without a license. Many states will cancel your registration for the lapse in insurance until you can prove that you have insurance and pay an administrative fee. With subsequent incidents the penalties become larger. Some states will impound your vehicle for six months and charge you for storage.
If you do not have liability insurance, you can get quotes using your home computer and the internet. Compare those quotes in order to find the best prices and coverage for your vehicle. There may be several hundred dollars per year difference in the same coverage from different companies.
If you want to keep the cost of your liability insurance low, learn to drive defensively. This can save you money in a couple of ways. If you drive defensively, you are less likely to get a traffic ticket. In addition, you will avoid accidents. In addition to saving money you may save your own life or the life of family members.
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