5 Things Your Car Insurance May Not Cover

We see auto insurance as something that gives us financial security after a car accident. But really, car insurance is basically about protecting other drivers from you. Typically, if you want to cover yourself, you need to go beyond your state’s required auto insurance. Here are some examples of things that are not covered by typical auto insurance.

1. Natural disasters

Vehicle damage from hail, flooding, or other severe weather is not covered by your minimum government insurance policy. To do this, drivers need comprehensive protection. That takes care of any vehicle damage caused by things other than colliding with another car. These include storm damage, theft, vandalism and animal-vehicle collisions.

Lenders typically require motorists with lease or loan agreements for their vehicles to provide this coverage. This is how it protects your investment if the car breaks down in an accident. Drivers who own their own car do not need this insurance, but it is often a good idea to have it anyway. Otherwise they will have to pay for the repair of the vehicle out of their own pocket after an accident.

2. Personal items in your vehicle

It may seem logical that personal property damaged or stolen from a vehicle in an accident would be covered by car insurance, but it is not. Motor insurance only covers damage to vehicles, people and property if the policyholder caused the accident.

Personal items are covered by household or tenant insurance, even if they are stolen or damaged in the car. If you don’t have any of these guidelines, consider adding one. It could help you save on both policies, as many companies offer discounts to policyholders who bundle their insurance policies.

3. Commercial Use

Typical auto insurance doesn’t cover cars that are driven to work. This also includes the possibility of a lift. Drivers working for Uber, Lyft, or a similar service will need to look for auto insurance that offers a ride-sharing add-on. This comes at an additional cost, but it ensures that the vehicle is fully protected, whether the driver is using it for personal transportation or to carry customers.

Not all car insurers currently offer ridesharing insurance, although it is becoming more common. If you are doing this on the side or as a full-time job, consider reaching out to an insurer that supports carpooling.

4. Vehicle accessories

Things like a custom paint job, fancy stereo system, and custom bikes aren’t usually covered by standard auto insurance. Drivers must purchase additional insurance if they want to replace it after a theft or accident.

Since the possibilities for vehicle personalization are almost endless, it is important that you read your policy carefully so that you understand what it includes and what it does not. This also applies if you purchase additional insurance. If you have any questions, please always contact your health insurance company. That way you won’t go blind when you have to make a claim.

5. Pet injuries

While some insurers automatically cover pets injured in a car accident, most aren’t as generous. Drivers may be able to purchase a separate pet injury driver, but not all companies offer one. In this case, separate pet insurance is an option for drivers who regularly travel with their dog or cat.

When you have an exotic pet, it becomes even more difficult to find cover for it. Most insurers only cover dogs and cats, so check the fine print to see if your insurer does.

Car insurance can save your life in the event of an accident, but it is your responsibility to make sure you have the appropriate insurance before you need it. For this reason, it is important to know how much car insurance you need and to take out additional insurance to fill in any gaps in your policy.

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