Virtually all states within the U.S. have laws governing the minimum amount of auto insurance coverage you must have. In the states that don’t, have financial responsibility laws that state you have to be able to furnish proof of the ability to pay for both bodily and property damage resulting from an auto accident up to a certain minimum amount. The chart below indicates the mandatory minimum requirements state by state. The second first figure is the minimum amount of coverage required for all people injured in an accident. The first figure is the limit for one individual and the third is for property damage. All figures are 1000’s $. So, taking Alaska as an example, the minimum coverage is $100,000 for all persons injured in an accident up to a limit of $50,000 for one individual and $25,000 for property damage.
It must be stressed that these figures are the minimum required by law. It is generally recognized that more realistic figures would be $300,000 bodily injury protection per accident and $100,000 per person. Other options are available to increase your coverage. These include – Uninsured Motorist Coverage This coverage will pay you for bodily injury and property damage that you suffer as a result of an accident caused by an uninsured driver. Underinsured Motorist Coverage This coverage pays you for bodily injury and property damage that you suffer as a result of an accident caused by a driver who has insurance but whose coverage is less than your uninsured motorist coverage. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) This coverage (sometimes known as “no-fault” coverage) is for injuries that you and others may sustain in an auto accident irrespective of who caused the accident. It covers the cost of hospital and medical expenses incurred in treating injuries and other incidental expenses such as lost wages. Collision Coverage Coverage to pay for damages caused to your vehicle when involved in a collision with another vehicle or object. Comprehensive Coverage This pays for damage to your vehicle that is not the result of a collision, such as fire, theft, vandalism and flooding.
