The most incredible thing about car insurance in the USA is that it is not necessarily mandatory in all the states. In states such as Alabama, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Iowa, etc. it is not mandatory to carry car insurance. These states are known to have financial responsibility laws that necessitate posting of a bond, approved self-insurance or cash deposit with the state for covering damages in case you are involved in any kind of a mishap or accident.
Motorists in those states where car insurance is mandatory require furnishing proof of insurance during vehicle registration and car owners need to carry the car insurance policy papers with them at all times. Buying car insurance could be a very complicated process in the USA as compared to any other country in the world.
Benefits of Car Insurance
Your car insurance policy would be including something more than simply coverage for your car. It may be including some added benefits that could assist you in making your insurance experience a sound and trouble-free one to the extent possible.
Accident Forgiveness
Accident forgiveness seems to be available in only some select states. This provision in an auto insurance plan is effective in avoiding an increase in rate after the very first at-fault accident. As an extra bonus, often you end up getting accident forgiveness for other drivers included in your policy such as teen drivers. Certain companies offer car insurance policies that specify that in case you have managed to be accident-free, as well as, violation-free for as many as 5 years. They would not be raising your rates after your first accident. If you are able to qualify, you would be receiving this benefit without any extra expenditure or cost.
Lifetime Repair Guarantee
Under this plan, if your car is involved in an accident, you could get it repaired at one of the insurance company-approved repair shops. The repairs would be guaranteed all through the period the car is under your ownership.
Auto Recall Notification Service
Many insurance companies offer this service. If any safety recall affecting your vehicle has been issued, you would be informed accordingly so that you could take care of that issue at the earliest. You could check online for all the latest safety recall notifications that would be affecting your car.
Six Months to 1 Year Rate Guarantee
Most insurance companies offer policies that assure six months rate guarantee. This implies that the rate would be modified only after six months. However, there are some companies that would be attracting more people by offering a 1-year rate guarantee. This implies that the rate would not change for one whole year.
Convenient Payment Options
You would be assisted in paying your bill easily and quickly over the phone either online or using the mobile app. You get a host of convenient payment options. You could get your payments automatically deducted from your savings or checking account.
Choosing the Right Insurance Company
You have to be very careful while choosing the insurance company. Always remember that some insurance companies would be luring you with lower deductibles or lower-cost insurance but that might compromise the reliability and competency. Independent reviews and agencies would be guiding you toward the dependable insurance firms. You could rely on them completely. You must assess the overall merits of a company while weighing the pros and cons of a policy. While comparing various vehicle insurance quotes online, you should get and compare quotes only for identical car insurance policies.