9 Key Questions to Ask Your Car Insurance Company
Understanding your car insurance is crucial for making informed decisions. At Liberty Mutual, we believe that by asking the right questions, you can ensure you have the coverage you truly need.
1. Are there any additional discounts I can qualify for?
Many auto insurance companies offer discounts that could help reduce your premium.
- Multi-car discount
- Multi-policy discount (bundle auto insurance with home or renters insurance)
- Preferred payment discount (automatic payments from your bank account or paying in fewer installments)
- Paperless billing discount (receive your bills via email)
- Discount for purchasing insurance online
- Claims-free or violation-free discount
- Military discount
- Good student discount
- Safe driving discount: Programs like Liberty Mutual’s RightTrack can save you up to 30% just for driving safely.
2. Am I sufficiently covered?
Having the right amount of coverage depends on your state and your personal circumstances.
- Is my car’s current value worth keeping Comprehensive and Collision Coverage?
- If I’m at fault in an accident, will the state minimum coverage be enough to protect my assets?
- Should I have Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Protection?
- Will my health insurance cover medical costs if I’m in an accident?
3. What is not covered under my current policy?
Review your policy carefully to understand its exclusions. Here are a few optional coverages you might want to add:
- Gap Coverage: Useful if your car is stolen or totaled and you owe more on the loan than the car’s value.
- 24/7 Roadside Assistance: Offers peace of mind in case your car breaks down, you get locked out, or you need a tow or jump-start.
4. Am I protected if I seriously injure someone in an accident?
If you're responsible for an accident and someone is seriously injured, you could be financially liable for medical and repair costs. Liability coverage helps with these expenses, but keep in mind that state minimums may not be enough in severe cases.
5. What are my deductibles?
Your deductible is the amount you’ll pay out of pocket for a covered loss under Collision or Comprehensive Coverage. Raising your deductible can lower your premium, but be sure you can afford to cover the amount if needed.
6. When does my policy renew?
Knowing when your policy renews is essential. This allows you to plan your payments and decide if you want to renew or shop for new quotes. It’s also a good time to review your coverage and make any necessary adjustments or verify available discounts.
7. Should I consider using a telematics device?
Telematics devices track your driving habits, including speed, braking, and mileage. By driving safely, you could qualify for discounts, and these devices can help you become more aware of your driving habits.
Liberty Mutual’s RightTrack program, for example, can save you up to 30% if you drive safely over the first 90 days after installing the app or device.
8. Am I covered if my car is stolen?
If you have Comprehensive Coverage, you’ll be covered if your car is stolen. If your car isn’t recovered, the insurance will pay for its current value. If it’s found, Comprehensive will help pay for repairs, though you’ll need to pay your deductible in both cases.
9. If my car is totaled, will my insurance pay for a new one?
With Comprehensive and Collision Coverage, you’re protected if your car is totaled. The value of your vehicle will be based on its pre-accident worth minus the deductible.
Liberty Mutual offers these additional coverages:
- New Car Replacement Insurance: If your new car is totaled within the first year, this coverage helps pay for a replacement.
- Better Car Replacement Insurance: This option covers the cost of a car that’s one year newer than the one that was totaled.