Utah Auto Insurance
In the state of Utah, car insurance is required
Here in American Fork, Utah, you’re required by law to carry car insurance. It's easy to think all car insurance is created equal. And if all insurance is alike, what difference does it make where you get your coverage?
Auto insurance: required and additional protection
Insurance protects you and your assets in case of loss, injury or damage; either caused by you, or by someone else. Auto insurance usually consists of the following protections:
- Liability
- This coverage is standard on every auto policy. You can get coverage anywhere from the state minimum limits, which is $25,000 per person, $65,000 per person in bodily injuries, and $15,000 in property damage, to much higher limits. Let's explain this further. If you cause an accident, and there is damage to the other vehicle, your policy will pay out UP TO the amount of coverage that you have for property damage coverages. If you have only $15,000 in coverage, and you total a Tesla, your policy will pay only $15,000 in coverage if that is the coverage that you selected, leaving you to foot the rest of the bill. In this case, the other party could sue you and come after any of your assets to get the remaining balance due to them from the loss of their vehicle. This is why it is not a good idea to carry basic liability limits on your auto policy.
So what coverages should you have on your policy. At Advance Planning Insurance we suggest you carry enough liability coverage to cover your assets. If you have a lot of assets, it is usually a good idea to go with $250,000/$500,000/$250,000 limits on your policy. This format of coverage is what is known as split limit coverage. It gives you a limit for an individual's injuries in an accident first, then the limit for total injuries in an accident if more than one person is involved, and finally it lists the property damage limits on the policy.
At Advance Planning Insurance, we recommend no lower than $50,000/$100,000/$100,000 limits on your policy, but we can tailor your coverages to fit your needs. The best part is that raising your liability insurance on your policy is inexpensive and it is much better to be adequately covered than not. You never know when an accident may happen.
- This coverage is standard on every auto policy. You can get coverage anywhere from the state minimum limits, which is $25,000 per person, $65,000 per person in bodily injuries, and $15,000 in property damage, to much higher limits. Let's explain this further. If you cause an accident, and there is damage to the other vehicle, your policy will pay out UP TO the amount of coverage that you have for property damage coverages. If you have only $15,000 in coverage, and you total a Tesla, your policy will pay only $15,000 in coverage if that is the coverage that you selected, leaving you to foot the rest of the bill. In this case, the other party could sue you and come after any of your assets to get the remaining balance due to them from the loss of their vehicle. This is why it is not a good idea to carry basic liability limits on your auto policy.
- Collision
- Collision coverage is just that, coverage for physical damage to your vehicle in an accident caused by you. If the accident is caused by another party, their insurance would pay for the damage, but if you cause an accident, the damage to your vehicle would be paid by your insurance company if you have selected this coverage on your policy. This coverage is optional, although your loan company or lessor will require you to carry it on your vehicle. It is always a good idea to carry collision coverage on your vehicle if it is 10 years old or newer, especially in today's market where the cost to repair vehicles is expensive. Whenever you carry collision coverage on your vehicle, you will be subject to a deductible. The insurance company will pay for damages to your vehicle minus your deductible. With most companies today, the lowest deductible is $250 for collision coverage, but can go as high as $2000 dollars. This means that your deductible is $250, you will pay the first $250 in damages and the insurance company will pay the rest. The same is true with a higher deductible. You would pay $2000 for your damages to your vehicle if that was your deductible, anything above that would be paid by your insurance company.
- Comprehensive
- Comprehensive coverage can cover anything from a windshield, to hitting an animal. Here in Utah, we all know that hitting a deer or another animal is a real concern. Comprehensive coverage will cover these types of losses. What if a tree falls on your car? You are covered if you have comprehensive coverage. This coverage is subject to a deductible. Standard deductibles for both Collision and Comprehensive coverage has changed from $500 to $1000 due to the rising cost of insurance.
- Comprehensive coverage can cover anything from a windshield, to hitting an animal. Here in Utah, we all know that hitting a deer or another animal is a real concern. Comprehensive coverage will cover these types of losses. What if a tree falls on your car? You are covered if you have comprehensive coverage. This coverage is subject to a deductible. Standard deductibles for both Collision and Comprehensive coverage has changed from $500 to $1000 due to the rising cost of insurance.
But additional protection may include:
- Medical Payments.
- Medical payments will cover injuries to other parties in your vehicle in the event of an at fault accident. This coverage usually ranges from $1000-$5000
- Roadside Assistance.
- Most companies will cover up to 100 miles if you need your car towed when this coverage is selected. They will also come help you change a tire, or provide lockout services when needed. This coverage is optional.
- Most companies will cover up to 100 miles if you need your car towed when this coverage is selected. They will also come help you change a tire, or provide lockout services when needed. This coverage is optional.
- Uninsured Motorist Protection.
- This coverage may be optional with some companies, but it is vital to your protection. As a responsible agency, we don't write policies without this coverage. We like to match this coverage to your Bodily Injury coverage, so that you have the protection you need. With the economy the way that it is right now. more and more people are going without insurance. What happens if they injure you? You need this coverage to protect yourself from having to pay all those medical bills in the event of an injury after an accident caused by someone with no insurance. This also covers hit and run accidents as well.
- This coverage may be optional with some companies, but it is vital to your protection. As a responsible agency, we don't write policies without this coverage. We like to match this coverage to your Bodily Injury coverage, so that you have the protection you need. With the economy the way that it is right now. more and more people are going without insurance. What happens if they injure you? You need this coverage to protect yourself from having to pay all those medical bills in the event of an injury after an accident caused by someone with no insurance. This also covers hit and run accidents as well.
- Underinsured Motorist Protection.
- This coverage covers your injuries in an accident caused by someone with state minimum limits or if they don't have enough bodily injury liability insurance to cover your injuries.
- Rental Reimbursement.
- This is optional coverage that allows you to rent a vehicle while your vehicle is being repaired after an accident. There is a max to this coverage so make sure you look at your policy to see if you have adequate coverage.
There is a difference in what you get with each company
You may think you want the cheapest insurance you can find, but cheap isn't everything.
You may think you want state limits on your auto insurance, but will that protect you in the event of a loss?
Here at Advance Planning Insurance, we match you to the insurance carrier that is going to give you the best rate while giving you the protection that you need.
While most insurance products are similar in price and function, insurance providers vary when it comes to structuring a policy that actually covers you.
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all insurance policy, here in American Fork, when it comes to your automobile.
Some companies have excellent claims service, and that is a huge factor for you when selecting a company. You get what you pay for. The less you pay, the less you get.
Contact us today, and we'll help you protect what matters most. And help you find an agent for you in American Fork, Utah and surrounding areas.
What’s insurance for, anyway?
Keep in mind that you can’t buy insurance after you have an accident. Carefully considering the position you may be in, if you should ever be in an accident, is important.
Keeping you safe is our number one priority. That means making sure your policy can protect you as much as possible.
Contact us today, we’ll show you all of your options, recommend the right limits, and make sure you receive every discount you deserve.
If you are looking for auto insurance here in American Fork, Utah, we can help!
Why We're Different
Look, we understand you are busy. We will go to work for you, so that you don't have to worry about it.
We will provide you with the right coverages that fit you and your lifestyle.
Most important, we're local. Our office is right here in American Fork, so we will always be here for you.
Call us now for a quote!