Clarifying the Confusion: A Few Common Auto Insurance Misconceptions

Know what you have before you need it: a quick review of your auto insurance policy will remind you what’s covered, and what’s not.

It’s easy to make assumptions about auto insurance, and it’s even easier to forget certain details about your own unique coverage.

A quick review of your Allstate policy can easily shed some light on things. Start with the Policy Declarations, which contains the details of what’s covered by your policy.

Beyond that, the following rundown of five common misconceptions about auto insurance might also help clarify things.

I Thought I Had “Full Coverage”

Many people believe that an auto insurance policy automatically includes things like Comprehensive Coverage, a low deductible, coverage for possessions stored or transported in your car, protection against theft or damage of special custom add-ons, or even automatic rental car reimbursement after an accident.

In truth, these are options that you must specifically choose, and purchase, for your auto insurance policy. (In some cases, state laws dictate what kind of coverage options an insurance company is allowed, or not allowed, to offer its customers. Therefore, the laws in your state could affect the kind of insurance coverage you’ll be able to purchase.)

I Thought I Had Rental-Car Reimbursement

If you’ve been in an accident and your car is not drivable, you’ll most likely need a rental car. It’s easy to assume that an auto policy automatically covers the cost of renting a temporary replacement car.

However, this, too, is an option. Rental car reimbursement coverage must be specifically requested and purchased when you buy your policy.

I Thought I Wasn’t at Fault

Determining who’s at fault in any accident is neither a hasty, nor an arbitrary decision. If you’re insured with Allstate, know that Allstate completes a thorough investigation of every reported accident, no matter how large or small.

To gain a clear, 360-degree view of what happened, your Allstate adjuster will interview everyone involved in the accident—especially you—before any decision is made about who’s at fault.

After this careful process, if you’re found to be “at fault,” your Allstate insurance adjuster will be happy to go over the details with you so you can better understand the many perspectives involved.

I Wasn’t Driving my Car when it was Damaged. Why am I Being Held Responsible?

If you lend your car to a friend who happens to then get into an accident, it might seem easy to assume that your friend will be responsible for the damage. In truth, however, auto insurance is designed to protect you, your assets, and your car. Auto insurance is designed to help protect you in situations that involve your vehicle. Which is one of the reasons that auto coverage follows the car.

That means that if the covered car is damaged or involved in an accident, no matter who’s driving, the policy attached to the car—not the person driving it—will be expected to cover the loss. That’s as long as the person driving had verbal or written permission to do so.

My Car was Totaled in an Accident, but the Amount of my Claim Settlement isn’t what I Paid for the Car. Why Didn’t I Receive Full Payment for my Vehicle?

If your vehicle is deemed a total-loss after an accident, in certain cases, it may be impossible to recoup the full cost of the car.

Natural depreciation, market changes, and other factors are all calculated into your reimbursement fee. This is why the claim payment for a totaled car will not be the same as the amount you originally paid for the vehicle. For answers to some commonly asked questions regarding auto claims, click here.

Allstate will always give you the fair market value of your car. Allstate insurance adjusters work closely with respected, independent companies that research and calculate the replacement cost of a specific vehicle.

If you own a new car, Allstate’s New Car Replacement option might be for you. This powerful new option covers the cost of replacing a new vehicle if it’s totaled in an accident. Check with your Allstate agent to see if this feature is available in your state.

Anticipating Future Needs

Check your individual auto insurance policy against any assumptions you’re making about your coverage. If you’d like to add any of these or other options to your auto policy, your Allstate agent will be delighted to help. Or you can always call 1-800-Allstate® to speak to one of Allstate’s licensed insurance professionals.