Comprehensive Auto Insurance Coverage; Understanding = Saving Money

Are you comfortable with your knowledge of your auto insurance policy? Is anyone?

As a licensed insurance agent in the state of Ohio, I find many people pay their insurance with distain and/or they are ambivalent about their coverages. But, what you don't know can cost you money.

In this article, I'll untangle two parts to the coverage called comprehensive (aka: 'other than collision') using specific examples. The word comprehensive is a misnomer; it does not cover everything.

A quick description of comprehensive coverage is; fire, theft, glass breakage, vandalism and malicious mischief. But, the word theft only pertains to anything attached to your car such as a hood ornament, in-dash stereo system, or theft of the entire vehicle.

But those brats stole my GPS!
Personal items left in car

Your comprehensive coverage does not cover personal property left in your car. Again, this is because these items are not permanently attached to the vehicle. This means, your GPS, laser detector, laptop computer, your gym bag with jewelry in it, sports equipment and much more.

Q: So how does one get coverage for personal property left a vehicle?
A: From your "fire" policy such as a homeowners / condo / renters policy

A real life example is a call I got the other day from a policyholder. 'Joe's' truck was broken into and the hoodlums stole every single unattached thing in his car. He was only 35 feet away, in his house, when they stole his iPod, all of his digital media files, a pair of new shoes and more. I had to break the bad news to him that even though he has comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible, there is no coverage for his personal property from his auto policy. I explained that if there was damage to the vehicle during the theft that those damages would be covered. 'Joe' said, "OK, but I left it unlocked, it was in my driveway. So, there isn't any damage." I think I could actually hear him kicking himself. 'Joe' doesn't have a renters policy.

If you own your home or condo, you are required to carry a policy by your mortgagee. But if you rent your home, you can also have a policy. Most renter's policies are only about $15 to $40 per month. Your agent can do a quote for you and you'll likely get a discount on your auto policy for having a renter's policy and visa versa.

If you only carry liability (no comprehensive or collision) on your car, you can still get coverage from your homeowner, condo or renter's policy in the event a thief steals items from your car.

Is that a bug on my windshield or a chip?
Windshield Glass Repair

So, there's a chip in your windshield, and you might think, "Oh well, I'll just replace it when it cracks all the way". But, act fast, and you can save yourself $200 to $800.

Q: How can I save money when I need my windshield fixed?
A: Get it repaired instead of replaced

If windshield damage is under the size of a playing card and not in the line of vision, the crack or chip can be repaired. But why is that so great? Because, most insurance companies will do this for FREE! They inject resin into the crack to bond to the area and fill it in. There will still be a small spot you can see but, it's worth the savings and most glass companies will provide a lifetime warranty for their work, and even come right to you to complete the work.

Urgency to repair your windshield is required because cold weather stress, warm weather stress and just driving can instigate the crack or chip to spread; fast!

More about Windshield Repair from http://www.safelite.com/repair.jsp

"Windshield repair is safe, effective, convenient and takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Safelite's certified repair specialists can repair chips, nicks and cracks up to 6 inches long. A quality windshield repair will restore the structural integrity of the windshield, help prevent the damage from spreading, and make the blemish much less noticeable, without removing and replacing the glass."

With this knowledge you'll have the right policies in force in order to get coverage for stolen items. Lest you won't be "out" your personal property. Also, you'll save money by getting that windshield repaired, for free, before it cracks all the way. Now, THAT'S a win.