Car insurance answers + free quote help
Get clear on car insurance, then compare your options.
Car insurance answers for new drivers, families, commuters and first-time buyers.
Plain-language answers on coverage, costs and state rules. When you are ready, licensed agents can help you compare, by phone or online.
- CostFree to compare
- AgentsLicensed agents
- TimeAbout 2 minutes
Why you need coverage
Four moments a policy is built for
Watch how everyday situations connect to the coverage that may help. These are illustrations, not claims about any policy.
May relate to
LiabilityCollision
An ordinary drive, a sudden collision
Even careful drivers can be involved in a crash. Liability coverage may help pay for damage you cause to other people, and collision coverage may help pay to repair your own car, after your deductible. What is covered depends on your policy and state.
Liability vs. full coverage Coverage FAQs
See your optionsIllustrations are stylised and not based on real events. Coverage, deductibles, exclusions and availability vary by state and policy.
Coverage types
Know what each part of a policy does
Most auto policies are built from a handful of coverages. Pick one to see what it is for and what to ask about.
01 / 06 · Protects: Others
Pays for damage you cause to other people.
Liability coverage helps pay when you are legally responsible for an accident that injures someone or damages their property. It is the coverage most states require, and it never pays for your own car or injuries.
Good question to ask: Ask how the limits compare with what a serious accident could cost.
What it may cover
- Other people's medical bills (bodily injury)
- Damage to other vehicles or property (property damage)
- Often, your legal defense if you are sued
02 / 06 · Protects: Your car
Helps repair or replace your car after a crash.
Collision coverage applies when your vehicle hits another vehicle or an object, or rolls over, regardless of who was at fault. It is typically subject to a deductible and is often required by lenders and lessors.
Good question to ask: Ask what deductible options exist and how they change the price.
What it may cover
- Crashes with other vehicles
- Hitting a fence, pole or guardrail
- Rollovers
03 / 06 · Protects: Non-crash
Helps with damage that is not a collision.
Comprehensive covers a range of events outside your control, such as theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, weather and hitting an animal. Like collision, it usually has a deductible.
Good question to ask: Ask whether glass damage has its own deductible in your state.
What it may cover
- Theft and vandalism
- Hail, flood and fire
- Animal strikes and falling objects
04 / 06 · Protects: Other drivers
Protects you when the other driver cannot pay.
If an at-fault driver has no insurance, or too little to cover your losses, this coverage can step in for you and your passengers. In some states it can also apply to hit-and-run accidents.
Good question to ask: Ask whether your state requires it and how limits are set.
What it may cover
- Injuries caused by an uninsured driver
- Gaps when the other driver's limits are too low
- Hit-and-run, depending on your state and policy
05 / 06 · Protects: Injuries
Helps with medical costs for you and your passengers.
Medical payments coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) can help with treatment costs after an accident regardless of fault. PIP is required in some states and may cover more, such as lost income. What is offered depends on where you live.
Good question to ask: Ask how it works alongside your health insurance.
What it may cover
- Medical and hospital costs
- Passengers in your vehicle
- In some states, lost income and related expenses
06 / 06 · Protects: Extras
Optional extras that fit your situation.
Beyond the core coverages, insurers offer extras that can make a claim easier to live with. Whether each is worth it depends on how you use your car and your budget.
Good question to ask: Ask which add-ons your lender or lessor may require.
What it may cover
- Rental reimbursement
- Roadside assistance and towing
- Gap coverage for financed or leased cars
- Rideshare or custom equipment endorsements, where offered
Coverage names, availability and requirements differ by state and insurer. Your policy documents control what is covered.
What affects your rate
The factors behind a quote
Insurers weigh many inputs. Select one to see how it is typically viewed. This is a guide to emphasis, not a price calculator.
Typical emphasis
Often weighed heavily
Driving record
Tickets, at-fault accidents and serious violations are among the most closely watched signals. How long an incident counts varies by insurer and state.
You can influence this over time.
Tickets and accidentsInsurers differ in which factors they use and how much each counts, and some states restrict certain factors. We do not show prices because they depend on your details.
How comparing works
Four stops from question to quote
Step 1: Share the basics
Enter your ZIP code, vehicles and drivers. It takes about two minutes, or you can call instead.
Step 2: Get matched
We connect you with licensed agents and partners who can quote in your state.
Step 3: Compare options
Look at coverage, deductibles and price side by side, and ask every question you have.
Step 4: You decide
Choose a policy, or keep what you have. There is no obligation to buy.
State rules vary
Every state sets its own requirements
Minimum liability limits and required coverages are set by each state, and they change. Pick your state as a reminder to confirm what applies to you.
Choose a state to see how to find its rules. We do not list limits here because they change and differ by state.
Drivers we hear from
Find the guide that matches your situation
Scenario 01
New driver
Just licensed and shopping for a first policy.
Scenario 02
Teen being added
Adding a teen to the family policy.
Scenario 03
Moved to a new state
New address, new rules, new quotes.
Scenario 04
Ticket or accident
Wondering how an incident affects your rate.
Scenario 05
Thinking of switching
Comparing your current policy with others.
Quick answers
Common car insurance questions
What is car insurance and how does it work?
Car insurance is a contract in which you pay a premium and the insurer agrees to cover certain losses described in your policy, such as damage you cause to others or damage to your own vehicle. When a covered loss happens, you file a claim, and the insurer pays according to your limits and deductible.
What does "full coverage" mean?
Full coverage is a common phrase rather than an official policy type. It usually means liability coverage combined with collision and comprehensive. It still has limits, deductibles and exclusions, so read what your policy actually includes.
What affects car insurance rates?
Insurers commonly consider your driving record, age and experience, vehicle, location, how much you drive, coverage choices and deductibles, and in many states credit-based information. Which factors apply and how much they matter varies by insurer and state.
Is an online quote the final price?
A quote is an estimate based on the information you provide. The final price can change after the insurer verifies details such as your driving record, vehicle and prior coverage. Coverage begins only once you purchase the policy and it is in force.
Can I switch car insurance companies any time?
In general you can switch at any time, not just at renewal. Make sure the new policy is active before you cancel the old one, and ask whether a refund of unused premium or a cancellation fee applies.
What are the minimum insurance requirements in my state?
Each state sets its own minimum liability limits and other required coverages, and they can change. Your state department of insurance or motor vehicle agency has the current rules, and a licensed agent can explain what applies to you.
Latest guides
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Practical ways drivers may lower their car insurance costs, from common discounts and deductible choices to shopping around and reviewing your coverage.
Claims 3 min read
How to File an Auto Insurance Claim: Step by Step
What to do after a car accident and how to file an auto insurance claim, from safety and documentation to adjusters, repairs and total losses.
Coverage 3 min read
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage, Explained
What uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is, what it can pay for, how it differs from collision and when drivers choose to add it.
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We do not offer every product, insurer or rate available in your area. Rates, coverage and availability vary by state, driving record, vehicle and other factors. Contact your state department of insurance to learn about all of your options.
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