Do I Need Comprehensive Insurance If I Finance My New Car?

Reader’s Question:

If I will finance the purchase of my car here in South Carolina, why is it so important for me to get comprehensive and collision coverage for my car insurance?

Danny

Charleston, SC

The required auto liability insurance would only pay for the damages on the other vehicle in an accident that you are at fault. In this case, the damages on your car would not be covered by your own car insurance. For that reason, the finance company who gave you the loan on your car would require you to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage.

Collision coverage would be the one to pay for the damages on your vehicle that are sustained in an accident that is your fault. Comprehensive coverage would pay for the damages that are caused by natural disasters such as fire, hail, etc. In case you hit an animal, the comprehensive coverage would also pay for the damages on your car. If you put together a complete coverage for your car insurance in South Carolina, the collision and comprehensive coverage must not be more than the fair market value of your car and must not be less than what you owe to the finance company. You have to check with the finance company if you owe them more than the fair market value of your car.

If you have figured out how much is the minimum liability coverage that you need and you have figured out the minimum amount of comprehensive and collision coverage that you need as well as your deductible, then you can now go online and search at least three various websites that would allow you to compare the costs of auto insurance policies from different insurers.