Insurers will ask you a lot of questions when you’re searching for car insurance. They will want to know where you live, how far you drive each day, what kind of vehicle you have, etc. But it’s just as important for drivers to know the right questions to ask their insurers before signing a car insurance policy. Not all insurers are the same and not every car insurance policy is made equally.
Be sure to ask these questions when searching for car insurance.
How Much Car Insurance am I Required to Have?
Every state has different requirements when it comes to car insurance. Insurers are in turn required to offer these basic coverages on all of their car insurance policies, from minimum liability to full coverage. If you are not sure what the requirements are in your state, ask your insurance agent, especially if there seems to be something amiss on your policy.
In Louisiana, for example, all drivers must carry at least:
· $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person
· $30,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
· $25,000 in property damage liability
This means that all insurers in Louisiana must offer these coverages as a minimum requirement.
State law isn’t the only determinant when it comes to how much car insurance you have to carry, however. Newer vehicles and vehicles that have a lean on them are often required by the dealership and insurer to carry full coverage car insurance.
Do I Qualify for Discounts?
When an insurance agent is trying to sell you a policy, they will ant to save you money to make the sell. Always ask about discounts you may qualify for, such as Good Driver discounts and bundling discounts. Available car insurance discounts also vary per insurer, so keep that in mind while shopping.
Who Can I Add to My Policy?
If you have multiple people in your household or people who will be driving your car, you will want to know that they’re covered. You may add people to your policy, but there are some caveats. Some insurers will not insure high risk drivers, which are drivers who have extremely poor credit or a bad driving record. If you live with a high-risk driver, an insurance provider may require you to list them as an excluded driver. This means that they are not allowed to drive the vehicle and if they are given permission to do so, an accident they cause will not be covered by your policy.