Auto insurance provides peace of mind by helping you stay secure on the road. Knowing your policy options makes it easier to protect both yourself and your vehicle.

Since July of this year, every registered vehicle in Virginia must be insured, making auto insurance essential for all drivers. But what exactly does it do? Auto insurance provides peace of mind by helping you stay secure on the road. Knowing your policy options makes it easier to protect both yourself and your vehicle.

What Does Auto Insurance Cover?

Auto insurance offers various forms of protection, including:

• Bodily Injury Liability: This covers any injuries caused by you or someone you permit to drive your vehicle. It ensures that, if there are any injuries to other parties in an accident you, or your permitted driver caused, your policy will cover the associated medical costs and legal fees.
• Medical Coverage: This part of your policy handles medical expenses for you and any passengers in the vehicle, following an accident. This coverage is provided regardless of who was at fault, ensuring that medical bills are taken care of quickly and efficiently.
• Property Damage Liability: This coverage pays for any damage that you or someone driving your car might cause to someone else’s property. This can include damage to other vehicles, as well as stationary objects like lamp posts, telephone poles, fences, or buildings.
• Full Safety Glass Coverage: If your vehicle has comprehensive coverage, this additional option covers the costs of repairing or replacing safety glass without the need to pay a deductible. It’s particularly useful for quick fixes following minor incidents that damage windshields or windows.
• Loss of Use: If your car becomes undriveable due to a covered accident, this coverage helps by providing for rental cars or other forms of transportation. It ensures you remain mobile while your vehicle is being repaired, up to the limits selected in your policy.
• Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist: This protects you and your family members if you are hit by a driver who is either uninsured or does not have enough insurance to cover the costs of a crash. It covers medical expenses, and in some cases, lost wages or other damages.

Collision vs. Comprehensive Coverage

While neither collision or comprehensive coverage is mandated by law, both types of coverage provide valuable protection and financial security. Here’s the difference between the two:

• Collision Coverage: Essential for repairing or replacing your vehicle after an accident, regardless of fault. This coverage directly addresses damage to your vehicle from collisions, which standard auto policies do not cover. Without this coverage, you would be financially responsible for all repair costs. Opting for collision coverage ensures that you are protected against significant financial burdens following an accident.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Provides broad protection against a variety of non-collision threats to your vehicle, such as theft, fire, vandalism, natural disasters, and animal impacts. With motor vehicle thefts soaring more than 12.5% nationally to a 16-year high, comprehensive coverage is increasingly important to consider for protection against these rising risks.

Securing Your Future on the Road

Don’t leave your safety and financial well-being to chance. Auto insurance is more than just a legal requirement—it’s a critical investment in your future on the road. Contact your local Rockingham Insurance agent today to ensure your coverage not only meets the legal requirements but also aligns with your personal needs and lifestyle. Let us help you drive with confidence, knowing you’re fully protected no matter where your journey takes you.