An insurance policy can seem like a maze of mysterious factors leading to your premium and a complex array of different rules as to what is covered. You’ll find that car insurance rates vary widely from place to place, but some things are standard across the board. The best you can do is have realistic expectations for your policy. Beware: believing one of the following common car insurance myths could end up costing you a lot of money and aggravation!
Myth #1: Car insurance covers me if my car is stolen or vandalized.
Only people with comprehensive coverage will be protected in the event of theft, fire, hail damage, or intentional damage from vandals. Most states only require liability coverage to protect others from damage you’ve caused. If you hit a deer while driving, your collision coverage will take care of that. However, if your car is at rest and your dog jumps up, swiping his paw across the door, you will not be covered — unless you have comprehensive coverage.
Myth #2: Insurance will pay off my loan if my car is totaled.
A car is determined “totaled” when the cost of repair exceeds the car’s value. Many people are excited by the possibility of receiving a large sum of cash, but they must keep in mind that this isn’t all money in their pockets for a new vehicle. They will factor in depreciation, but you will be responsible for paying the outstanding amount due on your original vehicle loan. The only way to be fully protected in this scenario is to purchase “gap insurance.”
Myth #3: Car insurance pays for rental cars if my vehicle is damaged.
Not all car insurance automatically covers the use of a rental car. Many policies will let you add this optional coverage for an extra $1-2/month. Often when you are seeking car insurance quotes and selecting your preferred level of coverage, you will see this question come up. Keep in mind that there are limits for how much you can be reimbursed for rental cars too. For instance, GEICO only reimburses you up to $25 per day to a limit of $750 per accident.

