Types of car insurance coverages

The most basic type of car insurance coverage, liability, covers another driver's injuries or property damage if you're found liable for an accident, up to the limits of your policy. Comprehensive and collision coverage, which are optional, can help cover costs to repair or replace your car, regardless of fault. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage help cover your injuries or property damage if an uninsured or underinsured driver is responsible for an accident. And other coverage options can provide even more protection.

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Key takeaways

The three main types of car insurance are often considered liability, comprehensive, and collision, but there are many more available
PIP and UM/UIM coverage might be required by your state in addition to liability coverage
Comprehensive and collision are popular and often required by car lenders

Main types of auto insurance coverage

These are the main types of car insurance coverage offered by most insurers. Some are required by your state, and others are optional but commonly carried.

Liability coverage

Auto liability coverage is required by law in nearly every state's minimum car insurance requirements. It's made up of two parts:

Bodily injury liability coverage can help pay for another person's medical expenses if you're at fault in a car accident, up to your policy's limits.
Property damage liability coverage can help pay to repair or replace another person's damaged property if you're at fault in a car accident, up to your coverage limit.

Each state has a minimum liability requirement for auto insurance. You're responsible for injuries or damages in a car accident that exceeds those limits. Carrying more than the state minimum may help protect you from out-of-pocket costs.

Comprehensive coverage

Auto comprehensive coverage can protect your vehicle against damage caused by events outside of your control: theft, vandalism, fire, glass breakage, collisions with animals and weather-related damage, and falling objects. A comprehensive deductible often applies.

Comprehensive is never required by law, but it's usually required by your lender if you're leasing or financing your vehicle.

Collision coverage

Auto collision coverage isn't required by law in any state, but lenders typically require it if you lease or finance your vehicle. Collision can pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault, and minus your collision deductible.

Medical payments (MedPay)

Medical payments coverage is available in most states and can help pay for medical expenses for you and your passengers due to injuries from an accident, regardless of fault.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is required in some states and optional in others:

UM/UIM bodily injury can help pay for injuries to you and your passengers if an uninsured or underinsured driver is liable for injuries.
UM/UIM property damage can help pay to repair your vehicle if an uninsured or underinsured driver is at fault.

Personal injury protection (PIP)

Personal injury protection can cover a broad range of costs, such as medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and other accident-related expenses. PIP is mandatory in some states and optional in others or not available in states that offer medical payments coverage.