What Is Basic Auto Insurance Coverage?
The exact requirements vary between states. Some states also require uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage. What does all of this mean?
- Liability Insurance:Liability only covers you in the event you cause an accident that does damage to another car or person. It helps pay for repairs and medical expenses for the other driver. It does not cover accidents that damage your own vehicle or medical expenses for yourself. Each state sets it own minimum requirements for bodily injury and property damage. Coverage options can increase these limits, which are generally low.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP):PIP covers your own medical expenses in the event of an accident. It may also cover injuries incurred by your passengers. It does not cover damage to your vehicle in any way. While some health insurance companies may cover your injuries as well, many specifically exclude injuries resulting from an auto accident.
- Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: These coverages are sometimes purchased separately and sometimes coupled together. They cover you in the event that you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Your right to sue is then passed onto your insurance company.
Car insurance is designed to cover damage incurred during an accident or damage from outside forces.
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So What Covers Brakes?
There are no basic auto insurance plans that cover your brakes. Car insurance is designed to repair damage done during an accident and brake failure is considered a mechanical issue. Insurance was never intended to cover basic wear and tear of your vehicle.
Though rare, there may be instances where an insurance provider will offer plans that cover mechanical failures like squeaky brakes or all-out brake failure. This is sometimes known as Mechanical Breakdown Insurance. Check with your provider, or an Obrella specialist, to see if this is coverage you can get.
Mechanical breakdown insurance often comes with restrictions. Some policies require that your car was on the road for less than a certain amount of months or miles. However, your provider may offer the ability to renew your insurance up to 100,000 miles or more.
It’s important to take into consideration the deductible when purchasing MBI insurance. In many instances it could be equal to the price of the repairs you’d have paid on your own.
Your other option is to purchase extended warranties or maintenance plans from the dealer when you buy your car. Be sure to thoroughly check the types of extended warranties they offer for your vehicle before making a purchase. Some extended car warranty companies will also call you after you’ve been on the road for awhile. Always check out the company before you buy to make sure you know who you’re dealing with.
If you’re having trouble determining whether an insurance provider offers coverage for your brakes, we can help you with this so you can decide what the best coverage for your situation might be.
How Often Should You Change Your Brakes?
Don’t wait until your brakes are squeaking to change them. The more worn down they are, the more parts you’ll have to replace. Instead, every time you go in for an oil change, tire rotation, or other service, ask them to check your brakes. Even if you pay to replace your brakes more often, it could save you thousands in other parts, auto repairs, and rental care reimbursement after an accident.
How long your brakes last depend partly on the parts. Driving habits like how often you use your brakes also make a difference. For example, if you let your car slow down by taking your foot off the gas pedal long before you hit a light, your brakes could last longer.
If you’re shopping for an auto insurance provider, you can talk to customer service with each provider or go online to get quotes. You can also work with a licensed agent who will take your information and generate multiple quotes for you. You may be surprised at just how easy this can be.
When you compare quotes, the price is the most obvious factor many people look at in insurance products. You should also consider the company reputation, claims, and other factors with each auto insurance quote. You may even consider whether they offer coverage for brakes and other routine maintenance instead of looking for an extended warranty provider or taking your chances.