In the vast majority of states, driving without car insurance is illegal. You must purchase at least the minimum required types and levels of coverage in your state; if you don’t, you could be fined and have your license suspended. If you cause an accident and don’t have insurance, you’ll be personally responsible for the costs of the damages and injuries you cause. Even if your budget is tight, purchasing car insurance is an important step in your financial planning. If your bill is too high, you may be able to lower your premium by taking advantage of discounts, shopping around and evaluating your coverage.
“No-fault insurance” is an insurance term that’s often misunderstood. It refers to personal injury protection (PIP), which is typically a required coverage in no-fault states. This coverage helps pay for your accident-related injuries and the injuries of any passengers you have in your car, regardless of fault. PIP may also pay for other qualifying expenses. However, fault is still a factor in car accidents, even in no-fault states. If you cause damage to another party’s vehicle or other property, you’re still expected to pay. Additionally, while PIP may pay for injuries initially, you could still be found liable and your bodily injury liability coverage could pay. If your bodily injury limit is lower than the cost of the injuries, you’ll be responsible for the rest out of pocket.
Unfortunately, yes. Based on Bankrate’s analysis of data from Quadrant Information Services, average car insurance rates are increasing. Car insurance companies take numerous factors into account when pricing policies. Inflation has driven up the cost of claims as auto parts, mechanic’s labor and medical care steadily increase in price. Furthermore, the severity and frequency of auto accidents continue to rise. Consequently, auto insurance companies are raising rates to ensure they have enough money to pay out claims.
Bankrate conducted extensive research to identify the best insurance providers for 2023. Based on their findings, Geico, Amica, USAA, Safeco, Auto-Owners, State Farm, Progressive, NJM, Liberty Mutual and Travelers provided the most value to drivers. To determine which provider is best for your individual needs, review several companies’ coverage types, policy features, discounts and premiums to make an informed decision. You can also use Bankrate’s interactive map to browse average premiums in your state. Doing so may help determine if the quotes you receive are competitive.
Picking a health care plan can be intimidating. Between the unfamiliar terms, mysterious acronyms, health savings accounts and optional coverage, there’s a lot to get up to speed on. Wouldn’t it be great if you could find all the information you need on how health insurance works in one place?
Well, you’ve come to the right page. Here we break down everything you need to be prepared for open enrollment, the annual period when you choose your health coverage for the year ahead. No need to study it all ― pick and choose what feels most relevant to your life. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to select your coverage with confidence.
Many people’s first question is about where their money is going. These insurance terms refer to different kinds of payments that consumers are responsible for. The amount you’ll pay varies from plan to plan: For instance, higher premiums often mean lower deductibles. Learn what each term means by watching the short video, then read the customer scenarios to discover which plan makes sense for your life.
Each of these acronyms stands for a type of health care plan that lets you access doctors and services in a different way. Some plans require referrals to see a specialist while others do not; some plans offer a nationwide network of doctors, while others have a local focus. In the video, you’ll find out what makes each plan special. Read the customer stories to figure out which one fits your needs.
If you like saving money, you’ll want to know more about Flexible Savings Accounts and Health Savings Accounts. Both let you deposit pre-tax dollars to cover health care expenses, saving you about 30 cents on the dollar. Find out the unique advantages of each account in the short video. Customer profiles can help you decide which account is right for your financial and health goals. Then learn about eligible expenses you can pay for with your health account.
Your health plan may offer benefits you don’t know about…but should. Some will subsidize your gym membership; others have a medical hotline you can call 24/7. Read about other perks you might have access to, so you can make the most of your health insurance.
Most medical plans don’t cover prescription glasses and contacts. For that, you’ll need to supplement your plan with vision insurance. Even if you have great vision, an annual eye exam can catch early signs of general health problems.
Vision insurance isn’t the only way you can supplement your medical plan. During open enrollment, you may be offered optional, or “voluntary,” plans to cover dental expenses, hospitalization, disability and more. Watch the video to discover more about your choices, then read the article to see how other people selected extra coverage based on their health and budget.
If you’re hoping to get pregnant in the coming year, you’ll want to check potential plans for their maternity and newborn coverage. Is your hospital or birthing center in-network? Does your carrier offer breastfeeding education and support? Learn more about what to look for in a health plan when you’re expecting to expect.
Does your health insurance provider support you outside the doctor’s office? When you’re selecting a plan, ask about programs that help you achieve your health goals. For example, some plans will connect you to one-on-one coaches with expertise in smoking cessation, weight loss, infertility, sleep problems, stress reduction or condition management.
There’s no substitute for human support, but sometimes the right digital tool is all you need. Some plans give you access to a suite of health tools that can deliver health information whenever and wherever you are. Teladoc, for example, allows users to video-chat with doctors from a computer or smartphone for a preliminary diagnosis. Cost estimator tools can help you predict fees for a variety of tests and procedures. These are just two ways that technology can improve your health care experience ― and your health.
Open enrollment is the annual window when you can make changes to your plan or choose a new one. But some special circumstances ― called qualifying life events ― allow you to make changes outside that window. Find out which planned or unexpected occasions allow you to update your plan.
Car insurance policies (excluding CTP) have a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) that outlines what the policy does and doesn’t cover. It’s important to read this and any Supplementary PDS (SPDS) and the Target Market Determination (TMD) before you decide.
This payment is called your ‘premium’. Your premium can be paid annually or monthly (there may be a cost difference between these payment options). When your insured period is ending and your next premium is due, you’ll be issued a renewal notice and you can decide if you want to continue with the insurance or look for a different cover.
If your car is affected by an insured event (such as an accident) while you’re covered, tell your insurer. Your insurer will work with you to determine what you’re entitled to claim.
Stfi Full FormProduct Disclosure Statement (PDS): This document tells you what you are and are not covered for under a specific policy. It highlights things such as insured events, claim limits, exclusions, benefits and information on how the insurer's claims process works. It forms part of the issuing documents you receive when you purchase a policy.
Supplementary Product Disclosure Statement (SPDS): This document is used to advise you of any changes to the terms and conditions of the PDS. You must read this alongside the PDS.
Target Market Determination (TMD): This document explains who the specific insurance may be suitable for, as well as aspects of the policy which may make the insurance unsuitable for some customers.
Comprehensive car insurance can cover repairs to your vehicle and other people’s property or vehicles even when you’re at fault in an accident. Comprehensive car insurance may also cover your car if it is damaged by a fire or flood or if it is stolen.
Make sure you always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), any applicable Supplementary PDS and Target Market Determinations before buying any car insurance policy.
Third party liability car insurance is cover for damage to a third party’s vehicle or property where you’re at fault in the accident. This type of insurance doesn’t cover any damages to your car unless the accident is caused by an uninsured third party driver.
You can also purchase fire, theft and third party liability car insurance, which covers damage caused by fire, theft or attempted theft and damage from an accident if it is caused by an uninsured third party.
You can also purchase fire, theft and third party liability car insurance, which covers damage caused by fire, theft or attempted theft and damage from an accident if it is caused by an uninsured third party.
CTP insurance is a type of mandatory insurance that covers the cost of compensation claims made by anyone involved in an accident who is not at fault.
It covers unlimited liability for personal injury caused by, through or in connection with the use of an insured motor vehicle in incidents to which the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (MAI Act) applies.
CTP covers anyone affected by an accident that was not their fault that caused them significant mental or physical injury.
In Queensland, CTP is paid when you register your vehicle or renew your vehicle’s registration, and it is illegal to drive a car that doesn’t have CTP cover.
The main difference between comprehensive car insurance and third party liability car insurance is that comprehensive car insurance offers cover for both your vehicle and any damage done to other cars and property. Third party liability car insurance, on the other hand, only offers cover for damage you cause to other cars and property involved, and will only cover your own car in very limited circumstances where an uninsured third party causes the accident.
Because it offers this extra cover, comprehensive car insurance will usually be more expensive than third party liability car insurance. To find out what a comprehensive or third party policy covers, check out its Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), any Supplementary PDS and the Target Market Determination.
CTP is part of your vehicle registration and is paid every year or 6-month period. It does not cover property or vehicle damage. Third party liability car insurance is for the cost to repair any vehicles or property you hit and are liable for.
Asking what car insurance covers is a bit like asking, “How long is a piece of string?”. Not only do different types of car insurance policies cover different incidents, but the level of cover a specific type of policy offers will depend on who you’re buying the insurance from. The best way to see what a car insurance policy covers is to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), any applicable Supplementary PDS and Target Market Determinations. Note: CTP policies don’t have a PDS, SPDS or Target Market Determination.
Whether your car insurance policy will cover unlisted drivers depends on the insurer and policy you choose. Some insurers require you to list all drivers you want covered other insurers will cover any licensed driver. They may, however, still ask you to list all drivers.