Have you ever looked at your auto insurance policy and wondered what it all means? If so, you’re certainly not alone.   What exactly is “Comprehensive” coverage?  What does “Uninsured/Underinsured” Motorist coverage actually do—and should I purchase the “conversion” option?

To make things easier, here’s a quick guide to the coverage options available on Connecticut auto policies:

Liability/Bodily Injury coverage: Coverage for injuries caused by you or anyone you’ve permitted to operate an owned vehicle.

Property Damage: Coverage for damage to the other driver’s property (the other vehicle, trees or structures for example) in the event of an automobile accident  caused by you or anyone with permission to operate an owned vehicle.

Collision Coverage: Coverage for  the costs to repair  damage to your car when it hits, or is hit by, another vehicle or object regardless of who is at fault. This coverage is subject to a deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before the coverage takes effect).  Raising your deductible is a good way to reduce your premium as long as it’s not more than you would be comfortable paying.

Comprehensive Coverage (also referred to as “Other than collision”): Provides coverage for damage to your vehicle by causes other than a collision (theft, vandalism, etc.). It is an optional, but often quite useful coverage. Like collision, it is subject to a deductible, but also offers the option for “Full Glass” which covers the windshields and all windows with no out of pocket expense to the insured.     

Medical Payments: An optional coverage that pays the medical bills (up to the purchased amount of coverage) for you and your passengers in the event of an accident, regardless of who was at fault.

Rental Reimbursement: Coverage that helps pay for a rental car if your car is damaged or totaled as a result of a problem covered by your policy.  This coverage typically has a daily limit and a maximum number of days it can be used (for example $30 a day for 30 days, which would read 30/900 on your policy).   

Towing and Labor: Another optional coverage that, as it’s name implies, pays for the towing and labor costs associated with common roadside breakdowns, such as dead batteries or flat tires.