Myths typically arise out of misunderstandings or drawing conclusions based on partial information. Car insurance definitely has its share of myths, which can lead people to make decisions about their coverage based on incorrect data.
Some of this may arise from something as simple as drivers in one state talking to those in another. Insurance is regulated at the state level, and because of this the factors governing coverage and rates can vary widely.
More simply put: what is true about car insurance in one state might not be the case in another. For those not aware of how rates and coverage are determined, this can lead to confusionâand the spreading of information that might not be true in all cases.
Weâll lead off with an example of how state-to-state differences can evolve into a myth about car insurance.
Myth 1: Your credit score doesnât affect your car insurance rate.
The reality is that in the vast majority of states, your credit score can very much impact how much you pay for premiums. Thatâs because insurance companies will look at your credit rating to see how diligent you are at paying your bills on time and how much debt you have.
This myth likely arose from the fact that a handful of statesâCalifornia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Marylandâeither completely prohibit or severely restrict insurers from using credit ratings as part of the scoring system they use to determine premiums. If you have friends or family in any of those states who insist that credit scores donât play a role in ratesâŚthey are correct, but that doesnât apply to everyone!
Myth 2: If someone borrows your car and gets in an accident, their insurance pays.
This myth arises from a misunderstanding of how car insurance worksâand again, the details on this can vary by state, which can add to the confusion. In most states, auto insurance covers the car regardless of who is driving it.
For example, if you let a friend borrow your car and they are in an accident that causes damage to your vehicle, itâs likely your insurance will be the one that pays for repairs. The insurance follows the car, not the driver.
However, there are a lot of variables that can impact this, including whether the individual you loaned your car to is a driver in good standing (meaning, they arenât driving your car on a suspended license), have insurance, and so on. These variables areâyes, you guessed itâdetermined at the state level, and they can also vary from one insurance company to the next. It is best to research and ask questions before loaning anyone your car.
Myth 3: Red cars cost more to insure.
The color of your vehicle is not a variable in setting car insurance rates. The make and model, engine size, age, and crash test ratings impact your premium, along with personal factors such as your age and driving record. Where this myth came from is unclear. It might have arisen from a related mythâthat red cars get pulled over moreâand tickets DO affect premiums. Or, it could be that red is a common color for high performance sports cars, and people are misattributing the higher rate for a big engine to the color of the car. Regardless of origin, if you have your heart set on buying a red vehicle, know that the color does not affect your rate.
Myth 4: If you have insurance, what you use the car for doesnât matterâyouâre covered.
This is just as much a misunderstanding as a myth. When you get insurance for your car, your insurance agent will ask questions about usage, such as how many miles you anticipate driving a year, and confirm that the car is for personal use.
If you then decide to start a business that relies on driving your vehicle, you need to notify your insurer. When the use changes from personal to business, the factors that determine your rate change. You might need a separate policy to cover any business use of your vehicle.
Myth 5: It always costs more to insure a new vehicle.
Can it cost more to insure a new vehicle? Yes. But with added safety features, available replacement parts, and improved crash testing data, a new car might actually result in a lower premium.
With so many variables affecting your rates, if you will soon be in the market for a new car, talk to your insurance agent about some of the makes and models you are considering. If premium cost is important to you, having this information available might help you to narrow your choices.
Myth 6: Youâll always pay more for insurance as a senior citizen.
Older drivers can see their rates increase over time, but there are also options available to help you lower your rate. Successfully completing a safe driver or accident prevention course is one example of how you can take steps to keep insurance premiums in check.
Myth 7: Full coverage covers everything.
This sounds like a trick statement, but really it has to do with understanding definitions and knowing what your policy covers. âFull coverageâ is a term used to indicate a driver is carrying both comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision covers damage caused by a collision with another car, comprehensive covers damage caused by other factors, like a tree branch falling on your car in a storm. Intentional damage is never covered by insurance, and neither is damage caused by not properly maintaining your vehicle.
Myth 8: If you have health insurance, you can skip personal injury coverage.
No one wants to pay more for insurance than they have to, but skipping coverage to reduce your premium is a bad idea.
First, in some states you are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Second, even if you have health insurance, being injured in a car accident can come with a lot of unexpected medical bills. For example, if youâre traveling out of state and need an ambulance, that charge might be considered out of network and not covered by your health insurance.
Third, medical payments also covers passengers who may have been injured in your vehicle. And fourth, depending on your policy, this coverage sometimes includes payments for lost wages and household care as you recover from injuries.
Myth 9: If you get in an accident that wasnât your fault, your rates will stay the same.
If you are in a very minor fender-bender and the other driverâs insurance covers everything and you donât file a claim, this might be true. However, if you file a claim, even if you arenât at fault, you might lose your good driver discount. Thatâs because this is also sometimes called a âclaim-freeâ discount, which goes away when you make a claim.
Myth 10: You only need the minimum level of liability coverage.
Almost every state requires drivers to carry liability insurance. Opting to carry only the absolute minimum level required could leave you very vulnerable to significant expenses in the event of an accident. Itâs no secret that lawsuits are expensive. Carrying only the minimum amount of liability coverage means you could be paying out-of-pocket for bodily injuries, hospital costs, or other damages.
Conclusion
The best way to make sure you are not falling for any of the many car insurance myths is to talk to an expert. The team at Rate Insurance can help you sort through the myths and facts surrounding car insurance, so you find the right coverage at a fair price.
