What are the Most Common Types of Auto Insurance?

At EasTex Insurance, we provide the auto insurance policies Tyler, TX residents need to drive legally and safely. It’s important to choose the right type of auto insurance based on your needs and obligations. 

Liability

Liability insurance is required by law. If you are in an accident, liability insurance will cover the other party’s damages. It will include coverage limits for property damage and medical expenses. It will pay to repair the other party’s vehicle or other property and medical expenses up to the coverage limits. 

Collision Coverage

This is coverage for your vehicle. If you are in an accident that is your fault, collision coverage will pay to repair or replace your car. Many lenders require collision coverage to protect their investment. If you own an expensive vehicle, you have a loan on the vehicle, or you can’t afford to repair or replace it if you have an accident, collision coverage is a good idea.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is usually recommended, along with collision coverage. Comprehensive coverage is for situations not covered by collision insurance. If your car is stolen or vandalized, comprehensive coverage will cover these expenses. 

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection will cover expenses related to your injuries from an accident. It also covers any passengers, up to the coverage limit. Medical expenses can add up quickly, and personal injury protection can help ensure you get the medical care you need after an accident without breaking the bank. 

Uninsured Motorists

Legally, everyone is required to have liability coverage. However, not everyone follows the law. If you are in an accident and the other person doesn’t have insurance, your standard policy will not cover it if the accident is their fault. An uninsured motorist policy will cover these damages. It may also provide coverage if the other party has insurance, but it’s coverage limits aren’t high enough to cover all your expenses. 

Auto Insurance in Tyler, TX is essential, but selecting the right coverage can be difficult. At EasTex Insurance, our agents will explain the types of insurance and help you choose the coverage that’s right for you.  

I Have Home and Auto Insurance. Why Do I Need Umbrella Insurance?

If you have home and auto insurance, you may think you’re prepared for anything that can happen. However, it’s not just the price to replace your car or house that you have to consider. Unfortunately, we live in a society where people love to sue one another. Your insurance limit may not cover a judgment against you, meaning you would have to pay the remainder out of pocket. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of umbrella insurance and contact EasTex Insurance in Tyler, TX to purchase a policy.

What Are the Benefits of Umbrella Insurance?

If you already have a car and home policy, umbrella insurance provides additional coverage that increases your total limits. If you are sued for invasion of privacy, slander, or libel, the settlement and legal costs may exceed your auto and property coverage amount. To avoid financial loss, you can buy umbrella insurance as an additional layer of protection.

Your car and home insurance probably include liability coverage. In many cases, the limit is insufficient to cover you if you experience a catastrophic loss that you’re responsible for. For example, your auto insurance limit may seem high. However, if you hit a car full of people, your coverage limit can evaporate quickly.

Medical bills and lawsuits can eat up your regular coverage. If you don’t want to take the chance of having to pay off any expenses, umbrella insurance can bridge the gap. The same holds on your homeowner’s policy. No one likes to think about causing an accident where other people get hurt, but if it happens, you’ll be covered.

Protecting Your Business

Umbrella insurance can also be tacked onto your business insurance. If you own a partnership, sole proprietorship, LLC, or S or C corporation, consider umbrella insurance for supplemental coverage to safeguard your business from lawsuits.

Contact one of our agents at EasTex Insurance for umbrella insurance coverage in Tyler, TX. Make an appointment today for a quote or to review your current coverage. 

What Kind of Auto Insurance Coverage Do You Need?

Auto insurance varies to suit drivers’ individual needs. When purchasing a policy, consider your driving habits, the value of your vehicle and your personal lifestyle. If you’re purchasing coverage for your entire household, you’ll have even more aspects to factor into your insurance equation. Working with an experienced EasTex Insurance agent in Tyler, TX can be helpful in determining what kind of coverage you need.  

Types of Coverage

A standard auto insurance policy in Texas offers the following basic coverage:  

  • Liability – Liability insurance pays for injuries and/or property damage to others in accidents that are your fault. All drivers are required to carry minimum liability coverage in Texas. The more time you spend on the road, the greater your risk of causing an accident, particularly if you do a lot of highway driving. By purchasing more than minimum coverage, you can protect your assets against serious accidents you may cause.
  • Collision – Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle from collisions. It’s not mandatory in Texas, but important to have, especially if you own an expensive car. If you’ve taken out a loan on your car, your lender will probably require that you have this coverage.
  • Comprehensive – Comprehensive protects your vehicle against theft and non-collision incidents like hail, vandalism or falling objects. Unless you have the finances to cover these damages on your own, you’d do well to obtain this coverage. 
  • Uninsured Motorist (UM) – UM coverage also protects your vehicle, this time from hit-and-run drivers or people who hit you but don’t have sufficient coverage to pay your repair costs.

Customized Auto Insurance Coverage

You can customize your policy by selecting only the coverage you need. This gives you ample protection without paying extra for unneeded coverage. To learn more about auto insurance options and costs, contact EasTex Insurance in Tyler, TX.  

How Often Should You Re-evaluate Your Auto Insurance Coverage?

Residents of Tyler, TX may be wondering how often they should have their auto insurance policy re-evaluated. At EasTex Insurance, the agents can go over your policy with you to determine whether any changes need to be made. In most cases, having your policy reviewed every couple of years is satisfactory enough to ensure you have the right amount of coverage in place at all times. 

Changes to Your Policy

Any time you make a change to your policy, such as adding a new driver or bundling your policy with your homeowner’s insurance, it’s important that you give your policy a good once over to determine you have all of the coverage you need. Depending on your circumstances, you may have more coverage than necessary.

Paid Your Car Off

If you have paid off your vehicle, you may not be required to carry comprehensive insurance anymore. If that’s the case, you may be able to drop your policy down to collision or PL/PD. While most people choose to retain their collision coverage, PL/PD is an option if you have an older vehicle.

Add or Remove A Vehicle

Adding a new vehicle to your policy or removing one when a child assumes their own coverage is also a good time for a re-evaluation of your policy.

At EasTex Insurance, residents of Tyler, TX, can rely on the agents to answer their questions and give them honest answers about their insurance needs. If you have experienced changes that involve buying a new or used vehicle or having a child move out on their own, you need to schedule an appointment to have your auto insurance policy reviewed. Call today and talk to a reputable agent!