If you should ask your agent if a liability umbrella is best for youThe premium is often based on the value of the car, or what it would cost to repair it. Collision Coverage: This is the coverage that will pay to fix your car when you are in an accident. If they will not pay first, you need to look at each level of coverage and cost, then buy what you feel is the best value for you. If your regular health insurance will pay first (primary coverage) in an auto accident, you can carry less medical coverage under your auto insurance. For people who have individual or group health insurance, you need to ask your company how benefits will be paid if you are in an auto accident. Most states have a minimum mandatory coverage while others, like Michigan, provide mandatory lifetime benefits for auto injuries. Medical Coverage: This coverage only pays for medical bills from auto accidents.If you have worked your whole life to build a nice nest egg or estate, doesn't it make sense to protect that from being taken due to one mistake? A liability umbrella provides millions of dollars of protection that go over (on top of) your auto and home insurance. My rule of thumb is to have at least enough liability coverage to equal the total value of your assets. Again, if you can afford to self insure, you should choose a higher deductible. You will have a separate deductible for this coverage. Vandalism, hail storms, a rock into the windshield, theft of the vehicle, hitting a deer are all comprehensive claims. Comprehensive Coverage: This coverage takes care of about any other physical damage to your car, other than a collision. Then you can decide pretty easily by comparing the premium you pay for collision coverage per year to what you would get if the car was totaled. You need to look on line or at the library to see what the wholesale value of your car is. I first ask them what it is worth. When people ask, "How old should my car be when I take collision coverage off?" Do not pay the insurance company to insure something you can self insure. You will also be able to use this concept for your homeowner coverage, so your side fund would work as a self insurance account for both. You might want to set up a side fund at your bank or credit union and put the deductible amount in there. Many people used to have a $50 or $100 deductible but we rarely see new policies written with less than a $500 deductible. I would advise taking the highest one that allows you to comfortably pay the deductible should you have an accident. A choice of deductibles is available. |