Auto Insurance

Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your belongings while you’re on the road.

Auto coverage* should be unique to every driver and we want to help you customize your policy to fit your needs. Learn all about our auto coverages and how they can help you drive with confidence and protect you from the unexpected.

Need Auto Insurance?

What Is Auto Insurance

Auto insurance is a legal contract between you and your insurance company designed to protect against financial loss from accident, theft or weather-related damage to your vehicle. It also provides financial protection in case you are at-fault in an accident that causes bodily injury or property damage to someone else. Here’s what you should know when getting a car insurance quote online.

 

What Does Auto Insurance Protect Against?

Car insurance protects against financial loss in four basic areas:

  • Collision. When cars bump into each other, damage occurs. Collision coverage reimburses for the cost of repairing damage to your vehicle no matter who caused the accident. It also covers the cost to repair your vehicle if you bump into an object, such as a wall or signpost, and no other cars are involved.
  • Property Damage Liability. This is similar to collision, except that it pays for damages caused to someone else’s vehicle or property. For example, if you drive over someone’s mailbox, property damage liability would pay to repair or replace it.
  • Bodily Injury Liability. If you cause an accident that results in bodily injury, you are responsible for covering the injured party’s medical expenses. Bodily injury liability also covers legal costs if the injured party sues.
  • Comprehensive. Cars can get damaged in many different ways. Comprehensive car insurance covers damages caused by non-collision events such as hail, fire, flooding, theft, vandalism, falling trees and more.

 

Most states require drivers to carry property damage and bodily injury liability. Some also require carrying personal injury protection (PIP). PIP coverage reimburses medical expenses for injuries to you or your passengers, as well as lost wages and other expenses.

 

What your policy covers:

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Collision

Protects you against collision or rollover damages, regardless of who is at fault.

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Property Damage Liability

Provides coverage if your car damages someone else’s property, such as their car or mailbox.

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Comprehensive

Covers you for damage not caused by colliding with another vehicle or object, such as hail damage, fire, flooding, theft, vandalism, collisions with animals, etc.

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Bodily Injury Liability

Covers you if you caused a car accident that injures someone; includes protection for legal costs in case you're sued.

What Are the Benefits of Getting Auto Insurance?

One of the biggest benefits of car insurance is the robust financial protection it provides when auto accidents occur. Auto insurance can cover the cost of repairing or replacing damaged vehicles, medical expenses due to bodily injury, legal fees and more. Plus, you can choose from different levels of coverage depending on how much protection you want.

 

Other benefits of car insurance and optional coverages include:

  • Avoiding legal problems. Depending on the state, failure to have the required car insurance coverage can result in legal penalties, including loss of your license and having your car impounded.
  • Protection from uninsured drivers. When someone without car insurance damages your car or injures you, they may not be able to pay for repairs or medical expenses. Uninsured motorist coverage will pay for the expenses that would have been covered by a driver with the proper insurance.
  • Loan or lease assistance coverage. If your car is damaged beyond repair, collision and comprehensive auto insurance only reimburse the current value of the car – not what you originally paid for it. If your car has lost much of its value, the replacement cost won’t be enough to buy a new car. Loan or lease assistance coverage is an optional coverage that pays the difference between your car’s current value and the cost of replacing it.

 

Add additional coverages to customize your policy:

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Medical Expense

Covers medical care for you and your passengers if you’re injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

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Personal Injury Protection

Reimburses you and your passengers for lost income and medical or child-care costs resulting from an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

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Rental Reimbursement Coverage

Helps pay for a rental vehicle while your car is in the shop.

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Emergency Road Service

Provides quick and easy services if you experience an emergency like a flat tire or dead battery.

The Advantage of Getting Auto Insurance from Homesite’s American Family Insurance | connect

Getting car insurance through Homesite and the American Family Insurance | connect program is quick, easy and affordable. We offer:

  • A wide range of coverage and deductible limits
  • Customizable coverage to meet your driving needs
  • Fast, reliable claims processing
  • Roadside coverage for timely assistance if your vehicle breaks down
  • Rental reimbursement coverage while your car is being repaired

Most of all, our auto insurance coverage helps you drive with confidence, knowing you’re covered if the unexpected happens.

Get an auto insurance quote online from Homesite today.

 

*Homesite Group Incorporated is an affiliate of American Family Insurance. When you select “Start a quote,” you will leave www.homesite.com and go to the CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance website.

 

 

Want to learn more about our insurance products?

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Auto Insurance FAQ
+ Q: Is car insurance mandatory?
A: Yes – in almost every state in the U.S. The types of mandated coverage and the limits can vary from state to state. These coverages can include:
  • Physical damage liability
  • Bodily injury liability
  • No-fault personal injury protection
  • Uninsured motorist
  • Underinsured motorist

Collision and comprehensive coverage are not required by law in any state. However, if you have a car loan, your lender will probably require you to carry them until the loan is paid off.

+ Q: How do insurance companies assess my risk?
A: Auto insurance companies take the following factors into account when determining your level of risk and providing car insurance quotes:
  • Type of car you drive. Newer and more expensive cars will increase your risk score. Auto insurers also look at risky driving behaviors associated with different models. For example, owners of flashy sports cars tend to engage in riskier driving behaviors than owners of minivans or family sedans.
  • Your age. Statistics show that younger drivers are involved in more accidents. Rates begin to trend down after 3 years of clean driving experience.
  • Driving record. If you have multiple tickets or accidents, your car insurance premiums might be higher.
  • Daily commute. If you drive more than 10 or 20 miles to work every day, your insurance company may charge more due to the increased accident risk.
  • Credit score/payment history. Auto insurance companies also look at your credit report. If you have a low credit score or a record of late payments, they may increase premiums. Auto insurance companies also look at your credit report. If you have a low credit score or a record of late payments, they may increase premiums.
  • Marital status. Studies show that married drivers are less likely to get into an accident. Insurance companies take this into account when setting premiums for a policy.
+ Q: What kinds of discounts are available for auto insurance?
A: In general, insurance companies offer three types of car insurance discounts that vary from one carrier to another. Common discounts include:
Driver
  • Affiliation with certain groups, such as active military or being an alumnus of a particular school.
  • Good student, for maintaining a grade average specified by the insurer.
  • Good driver, for going a set amount of time without a ticket or accident.
  • Completing a driver’s education course.
Vehicle
  • Having an anti-theft device.
  • Having safety features, such as anti-lock brakes or electronic steering control.
  • Parking in a garage at home rather than on the street.
  • Owning a model that costs less to repair.
Policy
  • Having other insurance, such as home or life, with the insurer.
  • Insuring multiple cars with the same insurance provider.
  • Making your premium payments electronically.
  • Paying a full year at one time.
  • Early renewal of your policy.


When you review your auto insurance quote, be sure to note which discounts are included.
+ Q: What deductible should I choose?
A: Deductibles have a big impact on the price of a car insurance policy. The higher the deductible, the lower the premiums. However, there are other factors to consider:
  • Your financial situation. If you have a claim, will you be able to afford the deductible?
  • The cost of each deductible. If it will take more than three years to recoup the cost of a higher deductible, a lower one may be the better choice.
  • Your personal comfort level. Based on your driving habits and driving history, how high of a deductible do you feel comfortable with?
When getting car insurance quotes online, it can be helpful to enter different deductibles to see how they affect the premiums.
+ Q: If I rent a car, am I covered?
A: Most policies cover you when driving a rental car, given it is for personal use. Even so, it’s always a good idea to check your policy to verify the coverage, limits and deductibles.