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What To Check Before You Sign An Auto Insurance Policy
We can't emphasize enough the importance of reading and rereading an auto insurance policy before you sign it. You don't want to discover after the fact that the coverage you expected does not exist. Never assume.
Before signing, be sure you specifically understand what car insurance protection you're receiving.
What to Check Before Signing Your Auto Insurance Policy
Don't rush when it comes to signing your car insurance policy. Take your time, and don't hesitate to ask a question about anything you don't understand; have the insurance company or insurance agent explain it to you in simple terms.
When reviewing your policy:
- Do not sign any contract with an empty space. Have the insurance agent draw a line through it if no additional information is required.
- Don't sign if the contract denies you the right to sue the insurance company. Otherwise, you'll lose the right to take the provider to court should you have a disagreement over coverage. Without this option, the insurance company may be more apt to take advantage of you, playing hardball with your accident claims.
- Think twice about signing if the policy contract states "aftermarket parts may be used for any needed car repairs." If your vehicle is new, you don't want it being repaired with "aftermarket parts."
- Make sure the insurance amounts meet your state's car insurance requirements.
- Make sure you're not buying coverage you don't need. If, for example, you car has a $1,200 value, it makes no sense to carry $3,000 worth of collision coverage.
- Make sure all of the optional coverages you think you're paying for are listed. For instance, if you've opted for rental car reimbursement in the event of a car accident, be sure you actually see this listed on the contract.
- Check the deductibles. You decide the amounts, not the insurance company.
- Be sure all of your car information is correct. This includes checking the vehicle identification number (VIN).
But before you even reach the contract signing stage, take the time to research the provider as well. This is especially important if it's a smaller, independent auto insurance company. You don't want to sign a contract with an unreliable insurance provider.
To research, you should:
- Contact your state's insurance department. You can do this online or via phone. You can find a link to this department on your state government's website.
- Check with auto body repair shops and car dealerships. These people deal with insurance companies daily, and can offer first-hand recommendations.
- Check the company's financial strength rating with A.M. Best or Standard & Poor's.
- Check how the provider rates on J.D. Power and Associates consumer satisfaction survey.
Additional Car Insurance Information
Visit our Insurance Center to learn more about your state's car insurance requirements, additional coverage types like gap insurance, and policies for everything from regular passenger vehicles and commercial trucks to motorcycles, RVs, and boats.
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- How To Shop Online For Auto Insurance
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- Annual Vs Monthly Auto Insurance Rates
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Insurance Resource Center
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Insurance State Requirements
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Auto Insurance Center
- Auto Insurance Policy Basics
- Top Reasons To Buy Insurance Coverage
- Auto Insurance Minimum Requirements
- Buying Car Insurance Basics
- Buying Car Insurance For Teens
- Teen Guide To Car Insurance
- How To Get Car Insurance Coverage With A Learners Permit
- First Time Drivers Guide To Car Insurance
- How To Save Money On Teen Car Insurance
- Common Driving Mistakes Teens Make
- Safe Driving Tips For Teenage Drivers
- Safe Cars For Teen Drivers
- How To Add Teens To Your Auto Insurance Policy
- Tips for Car Insurance Policy Holders
- Types Of Auto Insurance Coverage
- Buying Car Insurance For Seniors
- Senior Guide To Car Insurance
- Extended Insurance Coverage Guide
- How To Get The Most Out Of Your Auto Insurance Coverage
- When To Buy Rental Car Insurance
- How To Cover Vandalism Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Auto Theft Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Windshield Repair Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Accidents With Wildlife Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Lost Wages Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Medical Expenses Through Car Insurance
- How To Cover Pet Injuries Through Car Insurance
- How To Avoid Auto Insurance Non Renewal
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Commercial Auto Insurance
- Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements
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- CDL Federal Requirements
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- Federal Truck Filings
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- Paid In Full Commercial Vehicle Insurance Discount
- Commercial Business Experience Discount
- Commercial Auto Insurance Quotes
- Commercial Auto Insurance Articles
- Who Needs Commercial Auto Insurance
- Types Of Commercial Vehicles To Insure
- How To Save Money On Commercial Auto Insurance
- What You Need For A Commercial Insurance Quote
- Types Of Business Vehicle Insurance
- How To Compare Commercial Insurance Quotes
- How To Get The Most Out Of Your Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage
- Types Of Commercial Trailers To Insure
- Online Commercial Auto Insurance
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Motorcycle Insurance
- Motorcycle Insurance Minimum Requirements
- Types Of Motorcycle Coverage
- Accessory Coverage For Motorcycles
- Comprehensive Physical Damage Insurance For Motorcycles
- Collision Insurance For Motorcycles
- Bodily Injury Liability Insurance For Motorcycles
- Property Damage Liability Insurance For Motorcycles
- Medical Payments Insurance For Motorcycle Riders
- Personal Injury Protection Insurance For Motorcyclists
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage For Motorcyclists
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage For Motorcyclists
- Motorcycle Roadside Assistance
- Motorcycle Insurance Quotes
- Motorcycle Insurance Rates
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- Online Motorcycle Insurance
- Motorcycle Insurance Articles
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Auto Insurance Policy Basics
- Auto Insurance Deductible
- Auto Insurance Limit
- Auto Insurance Premium
- Auto Insurance Quote
- Auto Insurance Rates
- Motor Vehicle Report
- Proof Of Financial Responsibility
- Auto Insurance Endorsement
- Auto Insurance Exclusion
- Auto Insurance Rating
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- Auto Insurance Glossary
- How To Obtain Proof Of Insurance
- How To Change Auto Insurance Providers
- Factors That Affect Insurance Rates
- How To Cancel An Auto Insurance Policy
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Insurance Claims
- When An Accident Happens
- Accident Loss
- Auto Accident Payment Recovery
- Total Loss
- Proof of Loss
- Subrogation
- Actual Cash Value
- Lost Wages
- Salvage Vehicles
- How To File An Accident Report With The Police
- Evaluating Personal Injury In Auto Accidents
- First Steps Following A Personal Injury Auto Accident
- When To Seek Medical Attention For Personal Injury
- Protection Against Auto Insurance Fraud
- How To Handle Staged Car Accidents
- Types of Insurance Claims
- Bodily Injury Claims
- Property Damage Claims
- Windshield Claims
- Third Party Insurance Claims
- About Car Insurance Claims
- How Car Insurance Claims Affect Your Auto Insurance Policy
- When To Cover Personal Injury With Auto Insurance
- How Much Personal Injury Protection To Buy
- Supplementing Health Insurance With Personal Injury Protection
- Pain And Suffering In Personal Injury Claims
- Statute Of Limitations And Personal Injury
- Negligence And Determining Legal Liability
- Auto Insurance Claim Settlements
- Auto Insurance Settlements Involving Personal Injury
- Proving Fault In An Auto Accident Personal Injury Case
- Compensation For Auto Accident Personal Injury Claims
- Tips For Settling A Motor Vehicle Accident Claim
- Factors That Affect Compensation In Personal Injury Claims
- Legal Representation For Insurance Claims
- When To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney
- When To Hire A Lawyer
- Personal Injury Attorney Fees
- How To Choose Personal Injury Lawyers
- Benefits of Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney
- What To Submit To A Personal Injury Attorney
- Processing Car Insurance Claims
- How Car Insurance Companies Handle Claims
- How Car Insurance Companies Investigate Accident Claims
- How To Document Auto Accident Damage
- When To Report An Auto Accident To The DMV
- Tips On Documenting Personal Injury Expenses
- Paying Medical Bills Before Receiving Personal Injury Compensation
- Wage Loss In Personal Injury Auto Accident Cases
- How To File A Loss Of Wages Auto Claim
- Stages Of A Personal Injury Case
- Filing Car Insurance Claims
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