Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is full coverage insurance?

A. "Full coverage" is a term that was created by insurance companies but doesn't truly exist. Insurance policies are made up of specific insurance coverages. "Full coverage" refers to someone who has a liability with comprehensive and collision deductible. These deductibles could be as low as $50, but as high as $2000. The deductibles could be different for each coverage. There is no such thing as a "full coverage" insurance policy that covers absolutely everything. This term is one of the most deceptive terms to dupe insureds.

Q. What determines the value of my insurance policy?

A. Your limits of bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD) liability coverage for damage caused to other people or property hold the value of what your insurance policy will pay out to those who are affected by you having an accident with them. At a bare minimum, you need to carry the amount of car insurance required in your state. For example, in the state of Indiana as of 2/5/2024, the minimum Bodily Injury: $25,000/$50,000, Property Damage: $25,000. Other levels offered by insurance carriers are 50/100/50, 100/300/100, 250/500/250, and combined single limits.

Q. Will a not-at-fault accident effect my insurance rates?

A. Honestly, it depends. If you were involved in an accident with someone who did not have insurance your insurance company may cover the accident. If this occurs it will reflect as an at-fault accident, which may affect your rates. If the insurance carrier is able to subrogate the claim and get the funds back from that individual who was actually at-fault than the claim can be adjusted to a not-at-fault accident, which would not affect your insurance rates.

Q. What is an SR-22?

A. An SR-22 is a certificate your car insurance company or agent sends to the BMV to prove that you have car insurance. SR-22 forms are usually required when your driver’s license has been suspended and you are trying to get it reinstated, for example if you’ve had a DUI or DWI. An SR-22 is not a type of car insurance, it is simply a certificate of financial responsibility for drivers who are required to provide one to the state.

Q. Why are the quotes that I got so different with each insurance company? I haven't had any tickets or accidents. Nothing has changed.

A. Auto insurance companies use many different criteria when evaluating an insurance application during a process called underwriting. Each car insurance company has guidelines for which drivers it will accept and what rates it will charge. But the factors remain the same for most insurers. The insurance company will look at many records to see how many violations a driver has received, accidents they have been involved in, credit history and more. Your final rate is a careful calculation based on the amount of risk you represent to that insurance company.

Q. Does car insurance cover rental cars?

A. Your personal auto policy typically covers you in a rental car, but you are covered at the same limits as your auto policy up to the terms specific to your policy, including type of vehicle rented, length of time you'll have the vehicle, where you'll be driving the vehicle.