Collision coverage pays for damage to your car from a collision, regardless of who is at fault. If you hit another car, a tree, or a utility pole, collision coverage pays for the repairs. If your car is declared a total loss, collision coverage pays the actual cash value of your car minus your deductible.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage that is not caused by a collision. This includes theft, fire, hail, flood, broken glass, and hitting an animal. If your car is stolen, comprehensive coverage pays for it. If your windshield is cracked by a rock, comprehensive coverage pays for replacement. Comprehensive coverage also has a deductible.
Medical payments coverage pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers resulting from an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It covers hospital bills, surgery, and even funeral costs. In some states, personal injury protection replaces medical payments coverage and provides broader coverage, including lost income and rehabilitation.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays when you are hit by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. If the other driver is uninsured, or if their insurance is insufficient to cover your damages, this coverage steps in. Given that about thirteen percent of drivers in the US are uninsured, this coverage is worth considering.
State Farm offers various discounts that can lower your premium. Multi-car discount: if you insure multiple vehicles on the same policy, each vehicle gets a discount. Multi-policy discount: if you buy both auto and home or renters insurance from State Farm, both policies get a discount. Safe driving discount: if you have had no accidents or violations in the past three years, you may qualify. Good student discount: if your child has good grades, you may qualify. Defensive driving course discount: after completing an approved defensive driving course, you may qualify. Vehicle safety equipment discount: if your car has anti-lock brakes, airbags, or an anti-theft device, you may qualify.
Beyond these standard discounts, State Farm has a program called Drive Safe and Save. You download a mobile app that records your driving behavior, including acceleration, braking, cornering, phone distraction, and time of day. Safe drivers earn a premium discount. This program does record your behavior. If you are not comfortable with being monitored, it may not be for you.
Choosing your deductible is an important factor affecting your premium. The deductible is the portion you pay yourself. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums. Lower deductibles mean higher premiums. When choosing a deductible, ask yourself: if I have an accident, can I afford this amount? If you choose a one thousand dollar deductible but have only five hundred dollars in savings, you cannot afford it.
When buying car insurance, do not look only at price. The cheapest insurance is not always the best. The claims experience matters. State Farm is known for its extensive agent network. You can walk into any State Farm agent’s office and speak with an agent in person. This is an advantage for people who do not like making phone calls or using online chat.
To get a quote from State Farm, you can visit their website, call their customer service number, or contact a local agent. It is best to compare quotes from at least three insurance companies. State Farm may be very competitive in some states and less so in others.
Finally, review your policy regularly. Your situation changes. You may have moved, bought a new car, had a child move out, or improved your driving record. Review your policy at least once a year to make sure you still have the right coverage and are getting all the discounts you qualify for.
