Auto insurance, explained before you compare.

A car insurance policy is really a bundle of separate coverages, each with its own limit, deductible and rules. Two quotes that look similar on price can protect you very differently, so it helps to know what each part does before you start comparing.

The parts of a typical auto policy

• Liability pays for injuries and property damage you cause to other people, up to your limits. Almost every state requires a minimum amount, often written as three numbers such as 25/50/25 (per-person injury, per-accident injury and property damage, in thousands). State minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation; a serious accident can exceed them quickly.
• Collision pays to repair or replace your own vehicle after a crash, minus your deductible.
• Comprehensive covers specified non-collision losses such as theft, hail, fire, flood or hitting an animal, usually with its own deductible.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can pay for your injuries (and in some states vehicle damage) when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little.
• Medical payments or personal injury protection helps with medical bills for you and your passengers; in no-fault states PIP is required.
• Optional add-ons such as rental reimbursement, roadside assistance and gap coverage fill specific holes.

What changes your price

Insurers weigh your driving record, the vehicle, how and where it is garaged, annual mileage, the drivers on the policy, prior coverage and, in many states, credit-based insurance scores. Choosing higher deductibles lowers the premium but raises what you pay after a claim. If your car is financed or leased, the lender will usually require collision and comprehensive and may cap your deductible.

How to compare quotes fairly

Ask every insurer to quote the same drivers, vehicles, limits and deductibles, then compare the annualized cost including fees. Note any coverage one quote adds or drops, and ask how claims are handled. Our quote comparison worksheet puts two written offers side by side, and the guides below walk through each decision in more detail, including RV and motorcycle coverage, which often needs its own policy.