What Does Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Mean?
Reader’s Question:
Hi everyone! I’m having a hard time understanding the auto insurance quote that an agent gave me. He says it’s the minimum auto insurance requirement in Arizona. Can someone explain in simple terms what this actually covers?
Faith
Glendale, AZ
Hello there, Faith! I’d be glad to help you out.
For starters, the minimum auto insurance coverage required in Arizona are as follows: $15,000 per person of bodily injury liability insurance with a maximum of $30,000 per accident and a $10,000 property damage liability insurance. If you are found to be the person at fault in an accident, the bodily injury liability insurance will pay for the costs of medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering of the injured party. It will also provide legal defense if ever you get into a lawsuit resulting from the accident. On the other hand, the property damage liability insurance will cover the expenses for damage to another person’s properties, as well as any legal costs associated with the accident.
Aside from the minimum insurance required, I would also suggest that you look into getting some add-on auto insurance coverage for collisions and a comprehensive auto insurance, as well, to cover for any other thing that could result to the damage or loss of your vehicle.
Why don’t you give your agent in Arizona a call? I’m sure your auto insurance agent will be able to enlighten you on your auto insurance companies’ policies and processes, and this will aid you in making an informed decision before you actually pay for your auto insurance.
Where Can I Get Rental Car Insurance in Arizona?
Reader’s Question:
I am planning a cross-country trip with my friends, and we’re getting a rental car here in Arizona. Do we need to get car insurance for that?
Mimi
Scottsdale, AZ
Good day to you, Mimi. Before plunging into car insurance premiums you actually do not need, I think it is best that you first review fully what you need and what you do not. We often make mistakes by getting additional protection that we think we need but do not know that we already have, or sometimes we assume we already have but in reality we do not. Not mentioning the fact that these additional car rental insurance premiums cost a lot, adding roughly $30 to $50 a day on your trip expenses.
Even if one is only renting cars, like what you are planning to do with your friends, the car insurance premium of the driver might already have coverage for that. Also, you will most likely use your credit card to pay for the car rental, and these credit cards, as we all know, have supplementary insurance that go with them. So, better check with your car insurance provider in Arizona and your credit card company first before embarking on this fun-filled trip with your friends because you probably already have the coverage that you are looking for. However, you may want to get a loss damage waiver. It switches liability over from the driver of the rented car to the rental car company. Have a fun and safe trip.
Will Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cover a Non Insured Driver
Reader’s Question:
My girlfriend often borrows my car, and that’s totally fine with me. However, she’s uninsured, and I am. I just want to know if my full coverage auto insurance would cover her if I let her drive it around Phoenix, Arizona.
Christy
Phoenix, AZ
Hi Christy, the answer is No. Even if you have a full coverage, that auto insurance policy only covers you and not your friend. The same thing goes when you drive someone else’s vehicle; even if the vehicle you’re driving is not covered by a policy, it’s okay because you are insured and it is your name which is written in that auto insurance policy.
However, there is an exception when it comes to driving a vehicle that is considered as “regularly available” for use. For example, you have three cars in your house but only two are being used regularly. You will have to list those two cars in your insurance policy as “regularly available”. Let’s say you seldom use the third car for the reason that you prefer using the other two and that third car only comes as a “spare” in case the two cars break down or becomes unavailable simultaneously. You would have to list that car too as a “regularly available” vehicle because it is there and the frequency of your usage over it comes from your preference only. In case you fail to have it listed, and you mess up while driving it, you cannot expect your policy to cover you.
On the other hand, if you use another person’s car (let’s say your friend asked you to get something and use her car instead) your auto insurance policy would still cover your liabilities, personal injury protection, etc. You may want to run these added information by your friend as she would gain more benefit out of this than you would. You may want to refer to her your insurance agent there in Phoenix, AZ, so she could get the best explanation on the benefits of getting an insurance policy of her own.
Hit and Run Drunk Driver Accident – Will My Insurance Pay?
Reader’s Question:
Our neighbor damaged my son’s parked vehicle in Deer Valley, Arizona. Our neighbor’s car was not insured but he got insurance on his other car. Can we place a claim against the policy on the car that is insured? He was arrested for drunk driving.
Tim
Deer Valley, AZ
I do not think you could file a claim for the damages caused by the uninsured automobile against the car insurance policy of the other vehicle with insurance. Your neighbor is responsible for the damages.
To have the damages fixed in Deer Valley, Arizona you may see if you could place claims against your own insurance provider under your collision coverages.
Another option is to seek legal help to determine if you will have to take your neighbor to court and seek a judgment against your neighbor for the damages you sustained while he was driving drunk.
You may contact the Arizona Department of Insurance online or call their consumer hotline at 1-800-252-3439 for consumer help.
Loading ...