Driving is an essential part of the day for many of us, offering us convenient, reliable, and readily available transportation. But with that convenience comes several responsibilities like following local traffic laws, keeping up-to-date insurance, and protecting the safety of yourself and others while you’re behind the wheel. While liability insurance is mandatory in the state of California, this coverage barely scratches the surface when it comes to protecting yourself and other drivers if you have an accident. We’ve previously discussed just how little the minimum coverage goes towards paying for repairs and medical care for the other driver, but if you’re not opting into additional coverage, then you’re leaving yourself open to paying for your own damages and care out of pocket. If you’re not sure if you actually need extra coverage, here’s why boosting your car insurance to include comprehensive, collision, and other coverages can be a game-changer for staying safe on the road.

Why Basic Insurance May Not Be Enough

Minimum liability coverage takes care of any damage or injury that you may cause to other drivers, but it leaves your own cars and passengers entirely unprotected. Thankfully, there are additional coverages that you can elect to add to your policy to boost your protection. Let’s learn about what these coverages are and how they protect you in different situations.

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance pays for repairs to your car after an accident, regardless of who’s at fault. This coverage is great for those with newer vehicles, especially as it may be a requirement by your vehicle’s leaseholder or lender. When considering this coverage, think about how much it would cost to fix or replace your vehicle. If the very thought of doing either gives you the nervous sweats, then collision coverage can provide you some much-needed peace of mind.

Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage

We all know drivers who either don’t have insurance or don’t have enough. These drivers play hard and fast with their own safety and that of everyone else on the road. If you get into an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, even if the accident isn’t your fault, you may have to pay for your own repairs. That’s where Underinsured/uninsured motorist insurance (UMI/UIMI) steps in. This coverage pays for injuries and damage if you’re hit by a driver that doesn’t have insurance or has inadequate insurance. It’s an especially important protection to have in states with a high percentage of uninsured drivers, like California, where nearly 17% of drivers don’t have insurance.

Comprehensive Coverage

Maybe you aren’t in an accident at all—let’s say that something out of your control happens, like a tree falling on your car, someone keying your car, or something similar. In all these cases, comprehensive insurance steps up to cover the damage.

Medical payments coverage

Medical payments coverage, or MedPay, helps pay for costs associated with accidents, no matter who’s at fault. MedPay is useful for people with no medical insurance of their own or with policies that have high deductibles or co-pays.

Boosting Your Coverage

Aside from these 4 key coverages, there are 3 more provisional coverages you can add to your policy. While these won’t make or break your finances in case of an accident, they can make your life just a little easier.

Rental Reimbursement

If the damage to your car is severe enough, you might need to leave it in the shop for several days or weeks. Not only can waiting on the shop to finish repairs be inconvenient, but it can also pose a huge financial burden as you’ll need to arrange alternative transportation while they finish. Rental reimbursement takes care of your transportation needs while your car is in the shop after an accident, whether it’s a rental car or a couple of ride shares.

Gap Insurance

If you’re one of 80% of Americans who finance their car, then gap insurance is a must. Gap insurance covers the difference between what’s owed and your car’s actual cash value if it’s totaled in an accident.

Roadside Assistance

Insurance doesn’t have to be reserved for accidents. Many companies offer roadside help as an additional coverage to help you in situations not associated with accidents, like flat tires, dead batteries, or empty gas tanks.

Finding Peace of Mind with the Right Policy

It’s important to speak with your insurance agent whenever you’re considering boosting your coverage. At Adriana’s, your agent can help you understand your current policy and any potential policies you’re considering. You can always ask them questions about limits, deductibles, and any exclusions each might have before you decide to add a coverage to your policy.

Tips for Staying Safe While Driving

While boosting your coverage provides financial peace of mind, there’s more you could do on your own to make the road a little safer. Here are some safe driving habits to practice on the road to decrease your likelihood of getting into an accident:

Final Thoughts

Staying safe on the road requires more than just careful driving, but we can do our part by preparing for the unexpected. Boosting your coverage to include more than just the standard liability insurance required by law helps protect you, your car, your passengers, and even your wallet. Take the time to assess your needs, talk to your insurance agent, and make sure you have a policy that truly protects you. Because when it comes to your safety and peace of mind, cutting corners is never worth the risk. Ready to take the next step? Speak with an Adriana’s Insurance agent today to explore coverage options that fit your lifestyle and give you the confidence to drive safely every day.