How To Get Full Coverage Auto Insurance

The first thing that needs to be mentioned is that there is no such thing as full coverage auto insurance. Every insurance policy has limitations and exclusions for items such as wear and tear, maintenance and negligent actions by the insured. The term full coverage insurance is usually referring to a policy with the following coverages:

1. First party coverages.

• Comprehensive-- This coverage is for damage caused to the insured vehicle by a loss due to something other than collision. Typically, this will be fire, theft, vandalism and weather damage.

• Collision-- Collision coverage is for damage to the insured vehicle by a loss due to collision with another object.
• Towing and Roadside Assistance-- This is usually a 24 hour coverage in the event of a mechanical or other problem with your vehicle.
• Rental Reimbursement-- In the event that the insured vehicle becomes undrivable, this coverage will provide a limited amount of reimbursement for a rental car.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage-- Uninsured motorist coverage kicks in when the insured vehicle is damaged in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist. It also provides coverage for bodily injury to the insured driver and passengers.
• Underinsured Motorist Coverage-- Underinsured motorist coverage differs from uninsured motorist coverage in that it requires that the responsible party is insured but carries limits lower than those on your underinsured motorist coverage.
• Medical Payment Coverage-- This coverage provides coverage for injury medical payments to an insured driver and passengers in the event of a loss.
2. Third party coverage for an unowned, uninsured vehicle along with its driver and passengers.
• Bodily Injury-- This coverage is for the medical bills as well as the general damages caused to the third party driver and passengers in the event that the insured driver is at fault for the damage.

• Property Damage -- Similar to Bodily Injury, it covers the vehicle or other property damaged by the insured driver in an at-fault accident.

In order to get these coverages, you need to get a quote for full coverage insurance. There are three common ways to do so.

1. Through the internet-- This is quickly becoming the most popular way to obtain a quote for insurance. Direct your browser to a major insurance carrier's website and follow the links to get a quote. You may receive an instant quote or you may get a phone call or email shortly after requesting the quote.

2. Over the phone-- Contact your current carrier directly. Check your Declarations Page of your policy to find a phone number for policy services. Once you have the number, call and request a quote for the listed coverages.
3. Contact a local agent-- The traditional way of obtaining a quote is to visit your local agent and request a quote.

Once you have your quotes, review the coverages and make sure that the limits are adequate for your needs. Contact the insurance company to let them know that their quote is acceptable and you would like a policy. Prior to getting the policy, you may be asked for the following:

• Drivers License and proof of prior insurance (if applicable).

• Documentation supporting your ownership of the vehicle you are trying to insure. This can include your pink slip or information on the bank that has the automobile loan.
• You may be asked to sign a contract.
• If you are getting the policy through the internet, you may need to print and sign a page and mail it to the insurance carrier.

• If you are going through an agent, you will sign something in the office.
• If you request by phone, you can expect a form in the mail to sign and return.
• An insurance contract is a legally binding contract, thus the reason for the signed pages.

You've now signed up for full coverage insurance!