No one wants to discover after an accident that their insurance coverage falls short. At Murphy Insurance, we’re here to help you secure the right auto insurance.
Affordability is key when choosing auto insurance, but it’s important not to be lured by attractive yet insufficient policies that could leave you at risk. Our focus is on your safety and financial protection.
You might be surprised to learn that enhancing your auto insurance coverage often requires just a small additional investment.
Every insurance company has its unique offerings, making it challenging to compare options effectively. That’s where we shine.
We simplify the process by helping you evaluate provider and policy choices, seek out discounts, and optimize your car insurance within your budget constraints. Ultimately, we aim to provide you peace of mind, knowing that you and your loved ones are well-protected.
Other Vehicle Coverage
Understanding Your Auto Insurance Coverage
Auto insurance helps financially protect you and those you care about. Depending on the coverage options you select, your insurance can:
- Pay for damage and repairs to your vehicle in an accident.
- Cover damage to another vehicle or other property in an accident.
- Cover medical expenses associated with an accident.
- Pay for losses caused by underinsured or uninsured drivers.
- Reimburse you for damages from vandalism, natural disasters, or theft.
- Pay for legal representation in case of an automobile-related lawsuit.
Auto insurance can seem confusing. But once you understand the different types of coverage that make up your policy, it’s not hard at all.
Your auto insurance consists of 12 distinct parts divided into two categories: Compulsory and Optional. The first four parts are Compulsory coverages required by Massachusetts law. The other eight are Optional; however, they provide additional insurance protection.
A brief explanation of each part of the coverage is listed below.
Compulsory (Required) Insurance
Bodily Injury To Others
This coverage pays for damages if you are legally responsible for an accident in Massachusetts that injured someone other than passengers in your vehicle. It also provides for legal defense and court costs.
Personal Injury Protection
This is commonly known as “No-Fault” and provides benefits, including medical expenses, lost wages, and replacement cost services.
Bodily Injury Caused By An Uninsured Auto
Pays damages for bodily injury resulting from inevitable accidents caused by uninsured autos or in a hit-and-run situation.
Property Damage
This coverage pays for damages to someone else’s vehicle or other property damaged in an accident if you, a household member, or someone using your auto with your consent is legally responsible.
Optional Insurance
Optional Bodily Injury to Others
Pays for damages to people injured or killed in an accident if you, a household member, or someone else using your auto with your consent is legally responsible for the accident. Unlike the compulsory part, this coverage does provide coverage for injuries to your passengers and accidents occurring outside of Massachusetts.
Medical Payments
This coverage pays for reasonable expenses for necessary medical and funeral services for yourself and your passengers due to an auto accident. It also covers expenses if you or a household member is struck by a vehicle or are a passenger in another vehicle at the time of an accident.
Collision
This coverage pays for any direct and accidental damage to your vehicle caused by a collision, regardless of fault. It also covers damage to other private passenger autos used by you or a household member with the owner’s permission.
Limited Collision
This coverage will pay in some situations for direct and accidental damage to your vehicle caused by a collision. Coverage is only provided for multiple-car accidents in which the driver of the auto we are covering was no more than 50% at fault.
Comprehensive
This is not a substitute for Collision or Limited Collision. This will pay for direct and accidental damage to or loss of your auto in non-collision situations, including vandalism, theft, fire, wind, hail, flood, hitting an animal, etc.
Substitute Transportation (Rental Reimbursement)
This coverage reimburses you for car rental costs up to the limits shown on the Coverages Selections Page in certain situations if your auto was in a collision and is being repaired or replaced.
Towing & Labor
This coverage pays for auto towing and labor due to a breakdown, even without an accident. Coverage is up to the limit shown on the declaration page.
Bodily Injury Caused by an Underinsured Auto
This coverage pays for damages for bodily injury or death as the result of certain accidents caused by someone who does not have enough insurance.
How Much Auto Insurance Do I Need?
The answer to this question isn’t cut and dry. We understand that everyone wants to save money. With tight budgets, the amount you pay for insurance is certainly of concern, but you also need to be careful that you are sufficiently covered. You don’t put yourself at financial risk should something happen. How much insurance is right for you depends on your situation, and we can help you determine what feels right based on your needs and budget.
When deciding how much insurance you need, answering the following three questions can be helpful.
1) What Liability Coverage Limits Will Be Enough to Protect Me?
It’s impossible to predict precisely how much you would have to pay if you were found responsible for an accident because too many variables are involved in any situation. While there isn’t a set formula, it can be helpful to consider how you would pay for any damages that exceed your coverage limits. Even “minor” accidents can cause costly property damage, skyrocketing medical care costs, or other possible monetary damages should you injure someone. When deciding your limits, you should consider how much you would need for a worst-case scenario, not an “average” accident, because it only takes one catastrophe to change your life. The higher your liability coverage limits, the more likely your policy will be able to pay all the damages and protect you financially. You don’t want to risk a lot for a little.
2) What Collision and Comprehensive Deductibles Can I Afford?
Higher deductibles lower your premium but increase the amount you must pay out of pocket if a loss occurs. Determine how much you would be willing AND able to spend on short notice to save on your premium. It may make sense to have a higher deductible and use those “savings” to purchase higher protection limits on other parts of your policy that cover liability. Again, you should consider getting adequate coverage to protect you in a catastrophe.
3) Should I Carry Collision and Comprehensive Coverage?
If you have a loan on your vehicle or lease it, you might be required to carry collision and comprehensive coverage. If you own your car free and clear, consider dropping these coverages to save money as the value of your car decreases. However, you need to decide whether or not the risk of paying the entire cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle is worth the savings in premiums.
Let our professionals walk you through your options. Contact Us to have a conversation about your protection plan.
More Information About Auto Insurance
Read more about auto insurance with the topics below to learn how to save money. Complete a Get An Auto Insurance Quote request online, and we will contact you. Or Contact Us anytime for more information. We also offer a Complimentary Registry Courier Service to save you time.
Auto Insurance Companies
At Murphy Insurance, we collaborate with top-rated insurance companies to meticulously assess and compare options, striking the perfect balance between cost and coverage that aligns with your needs. When a car accident happens, you want to be covered. And we want to help you get the protection you need. If you’re shopping for car insurance, price is important, but be aware of cut-rate policies that leave you unprotected. We don’t believe in you risking a lot for a little.
You might be surprised, but it often only costs a little more to improve your auto insurance coverage substantially. Every insurance company has differences in their offerings, so comparing options is more challenging than it might seem. We help you compare options, look for discounts, and focus on maximizing your car insurance coverage to fit your budget. Ultimately, we want you to know that you and those you care about are protected. At Murphy Insurance, we work with top-rated insurance companies and compare options to find the best balance of cost and coverage for you.
Let us eliminate confusion and help you find the best value.
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Murphy Insurance Agency provides insurance solutions across Massachusetts and New England. Where you live is not a barrier to our assisting you. We are proud to serve the communities where our customers live and work, including Acton, Ashland, Ayer, Bellingham, Berlin, Blackstone, Bolton, Boston, Boxborough, Boylston, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Devens, Dunstable, Fitchburg, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Groton, Harvard, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Millville, Natick, Norfolk, Northborough, Northbridge, Pepperell, Sherborn, Shirley, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Townsend, Upton, Uxbridge, Wayland, Westborough, Westford, Weston, Whitinsville, Worcester, and last but not least, Wrentham.
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