about car insurance

Car insurance (also known as auto insurance, car insurance, or motor insurance) is insurance purchased for cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Its primary use is to provide protection against losses incurred as a result of traffic accidents and against liability that could be incurred in an accident.

Car Insurance for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season starts in early June and ends in late November, with its peak in September. The resulting hurricanes often cause incredible damage. What can you do to prepare?

Hurricane Preparation Tips
Preparing your car insurance for a hurricane is probably not at the top of your list. However, taking the opportunity to familiarize yourself with your car insurance policy before a disaster can save you time and trouble later.

Read your car insurance policy carefully to insure you have the coverage you need. Make sure you understand what is covered and what isn't, what your deductibles are, and what you need to do if your car is damaged. If you're not sure, speak to your insurance company to verify the details.

If your car will be in the path of a hurricane, park it indoors, if possible, or move it to higher ground away from trees and telephone poles.

Car Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive coverage is the type of car insurance that protects against damage from natural disasters, such as wind-blown objects, rain, flooding, fire, and tornadoes.

Other coverages that can help if your car is damaged in a hurricane include gap coverage and rental reimbursement. If your car is totaled due to hurricane damage, gap coverage can pay the difference between what you owe on your loan and what your car is actually worth. On the other hand, if your car is damaged and needs to be repaired, rental reimbursement coverage pays for a rental car so you have transportation after the storm.

Car Insurance Restrictions
The period directly before a natural disaster is usually not the best time to search for car insurance. In fact, some companies may not sell car insurance if they know a disaster is about to hit your area. That's because insurance doesn't work if people only purchase it when they need it immediately, and not at other times. For example, the federal government doesn't allow flood insurance policies to take effect until 30 days after the application date.

If you don't have comprehensive, gap, or rental reimbursement coverages on your car insurance and you live in or visit an area where hurricanes or other natural disasters are possible, don't wait until the last minute to add these coverages. You may find that your car insurance company will not let you add coverage to your policy until the disaster is over. This can apply to other types of insurance as well, so make sure your homeowners and other policies have the coverage you need.

Car Insurance and Home Insurance Claims Tips
To get more information on how to prepare for a hurricane and protect yourself and your car, read our hurricane protection article. For information about hurricane claims, read our hurricane homeowners and car insurance claims article.

Updating Your Car Insurance
If you need to update your insurance or compare car insurance prices, get car insurance quotes from multiple top companies at Insurance.com. If you need to update your homeowners insurance, you can also get homeowners insurance quotes.