5 Things Your Car Insurance May Not Cover

Auto insurance is often viewed as financial protection in the event of an accident. Car insurance, at its core, is about protecting other motorists from you. You will need to get more than the minimum auto insurance coverage required by your state if you want to protect yourself. These are just a few of the things that are not covered by your standard car insurance policy.1. 1.Your state-minimum auto policy doesn't cover vehicle damage from hail, flooding, and other severe weather conditions. This coverage is required by all drivers. This covers any damage to your vehicle that is not caused by collisions with another vehicle. This covers theft, vandalism and storm damage as well as animal-vehicle collisions.This coverage is required by lenders for motorists who have vehicles on lease or loan. This protects the lender's investment in case the car is damaged in an accident. This coverage is not necessary for drivers who are the sole owners of their vehicle. However, it is often recommended that they have it. They will have to pay out-of-pocket for repairs after an accident.2. 2. Personal items in your vehicleAlthough it might seem obvious that car insurance policies would cover personal property lost or damaged in an accident, this is not the case. Car insurance does not cover damage to other property, vehicles, or people if they cause the accident.A homeowners or renters policy will cover personal belongings, even if they are stolen or damaged in a vehicle. You should consider purchasing one of these policies if you don't already have one. Bundling your insurance could save you money. Many companies offer discounts for policyholders who combine their policies.3. 3.An auto policy that covers cars used for work is not typical. This applies to ridesharing. Uber, Lyft or another similar service driver should look for an insurance company that offers a ridesharing option. It will be more expensive, but it provides full coverage for the vehicle regardless of whether it is being used to transport passengers or personal transport.Although ridesharing coverage is becoming more popular, not all car insurances cover it. You should consider an insurance company that offers ridesharing coverage if you are doing this as a side-job or full-time occupation.4. Accessories for vehiclesStandard car insurance policies don't cover things like custom paint jobs, fancy stereo systems, or custom wheels. If they want to replace the items after an accident or theft, drivers will need to buy supplemental coverage.There are so many options when it comes to customizing your vehicle, it is important that you carefully read your policy in order to understand what it covers. Even if you have supplemental coverage, this is important. Ask your insurance company any questions. This will ensure that you are not left in the dark if you have to file a claim.5. 5.Some insurers automatically cover pets that are injured in an automobile accident. Others, however, do not offer this coverage. Although some companies may offer a separate pet-injury rider, not all do. Drivers who regularly travel with their pet cat or dog may be able to purchase separate pet insurance policies.It will be more difficult to find coverage for exotic pets. Many insurers cover only dogs and cats. Make sure to read the fine print before you sign anything.Car insurance can save your life if you are involved in an accident. However, it is your responsibility to make sure you have the right coverage. It's crucial to determine how much car insurance you require and to buy supplemental coverage to cover any gaps.