The state laws of every state in the USA require that you carry Car Liability Insurance on your vehicle. This coverage pays for damage that you cause to persons or property in an automobile accident when you are at fault. The laws regarding this insurance are determined by the individual states. This means that the requirement varies by state. In some states you will find that the state minimums are lower than in other states.
Liability insurance is not only required by law, it is needed to protect your other properties. If you have an accident that causes major damage to persons or property and you are inadequately insured, the person suffering the loss can file a lawsuit against you. If they prevail, then a judgment can be filed against you. A lien can be filed against any of your properties to satisfy that judgment. This lien can prevent you from refinancing your property and if you sell the property, the lien must be satisfied before you receive any money for the property that is sold.
Many times you will hear liability referred to using three numbers such as 25/50/25. The first 25 refers to the amount of money the policy would pay for medical expenses and other personal injury expenses ($25,000) for any one person that was hurt in an accident. The 50 is the maximum amount payable to all persons hurt in the accident ($50,000) and the second 25 is what the policy would pay for property damage ($25,000).
Since most state limits are too low, it is a good idea to carry more insurance than is required by the state laws. Your insurance agent can give you a good idea of the amount of insurance that is needed to protect your assets.
Your state DMV will be able to tell you the minimum amount of liability insurance that is required for your vehicle. In addition, they can tell you about penalties for allowing insurance to lapse. In an effort to cut down on the number of uninsured motorists, many states have enacted laws that require the insurance company to notify the DMV if your policy lapses for even one day. While the effort to cut back on uninsured motorists is appreciated, you can get into a sticky situation if you forget to pay your policy premium.
States are developing very stiff penalties for persons caught driving without insurance. In some states your vehicle registration can be canceled and in other states your actual driver’s license is canceled. While the first offense may have a lower penalty, if your insurance is canceled a second or third time, it can cost you dearly. Your vehicle can be impounded for 180 days and you can be billed for the storage fees on the third offense in some states.
Persons needing to purchase liability insurance can request quotes using the internet. You can often get instant quotes for the insurance you need. By comparing the quotes, you can find the best coverage for your vehicle and the best possible price for your insurance.
Learning to drive defensively is one of the best ways to lower the price you pay for liability insurance. Defensive driving will keep you from having accidents and will also keep you from having traffic tickets. If you do not already drive defensively, then you should consider taking a defensive driving class to learn some new techniques.
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