Auto Insurance
Auto insurance is not only necessary; in South Carolina it is required by law. Insurance minimums are determined at the state level, but often are not enough to make sure that you and your family are fully protected. Auto insurance is the type of coverage that protects you against financial loss if you are in an auto accident or if your car is burglarized or damaged.
Auto insurance policies protect motorists in three ways
Property
It covers damage or theft.Liability
You are legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage to others.Medical
To cover the costs of treatment or rehabilitation for any injuries, and in some instances, funeral costs and lost wages.
Auto insurance is not only necessary; in South Carolina it is required by law. Insurance minimums are determined at the state level, but often are not enough to make sure that you and your family are fully protected. Auto insurance is the type of coverage that protects you against financial loss if you are in an auto accident or if your car is burglarized or damaged.
What are the Mandatory Minimums of Auto Insurance?
The State of South Carolina has mandatory minimum requirements for all motorists. Also, some auto lenders may have their own set of minimum requirements, so it is important to understand what your obligations are.The minimum requirements include:
Bodily injury liability
This covers all costs related to death or injury when you are involved in a car accident.
Property damage liability
This provides reimbursement for damage caused by an accident related to property damage.
What are the Mandatory Minimums of Auto Insurance?
The State of South Carolina has mandatory minimum requirements for all motorists. Also, some auto lenders may have their own set of minimum requirements, so it is important to understand what your obligations are.The minimum requirements include:
Bodily injury liability
This covers all costs related to death or injury when you are involved in a car accident.
Property damage liability
This provides reimbursement for damage caused by an accident related to property damage.
Other optional coverage
Personal Injury Protection
This pays for medical expenses for your passenger and costs related to things like lost wages and other expenses not recoverable through minimal insurance.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
This will cover the costs if you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist or involved in a hit-and-run accident. An underinsured motorist rider is also an option that will cover you if the person at fault in an accident lacks the coverage to pay for excessive injuries or loss.
Other Types of Coverage to Consider
The mandatory minimum requirements may not be enough to cover the costs of an auto accident, like paying for repairs or the replacement of your own vehicle if you are at fault.
These are optional riders that you might want to conside
Collision
Collision insurance will reimburse you for any damage to your car when you are at fault for the accident. Although collision insurance will not cover you for maintenance of mechanical wear and tear, it will pay for damage that results from things like hitting a pothole.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage will protect you against theft and damage that is caused by something other than a car collision such as vandalism, flooding, fire, and hail.
Gap Insurance
When you are involved in a car collision, comprehensive and collision insurance will only cover the current market value of your automobile. If your car should be stolen or totaled, then there might be a “gap” between what the insurance company will pay versus what you owe. Gap insurance will cover the cost between the difference of owed versus replacement value. If you lease a car, coverage is typically rolled into your overall payments.