There’s an old saying that goes, “hope for the best but prepare for the worst”. What this means is that while it’s a good idea to be optimistic about situations, you should always have a backup plan. Just as you carry an emergency kit in your vehicle but don’t hope or even expect to have a breakdown, your auto insurance policy is there as a fail-safe. If you’re in an accident, your auto policy will kick in and provide financial coverage. That’s the whole point of keeping you and your vehicle insured: having a back-up plan that will protect you, as well as the other drivers around you.
Depending on your driving habits and the type of vehicle you drive, you may find that a basic “bare bones” policy will be sufficient. Older “clunker” cars that get you from point A to point B without a lot of frills rarely need more than a limited tort or liability-only policy. But newer vehicles would certainly benefit from a full-coverage policy, since even a minor accident can result in thousands of dollars worth of cosmetic damage. And if you’re a fast or otherwise reckless driver, or you put a lot of miles on your vehicle on a regular basis, then you’ll certainly want a full-coverage policy – after all, the more you drive, the more likely it is that you’ll be in some type of accident. It’s simply a matter of statistics.
When shopping around for potential policy providers, take the time to fill out quotes. Provide as many details about yourself and your vehicle as possible, since more details means having a more personalized as well as accurate quote, and not being as likely to suffer sticker-shock during the policy purchase process. Plus, having a personalized quote means choosing tailored coverage that makes the most sense for you, your vehicle, and your wallet. And if your wallet allows it, pay for six months or even an entire year’s worth of coverage all at once. It may hit your budget harder than you’d like, but you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that whenever you hit the road, you’re covered.