How to read actually understand your auto insurance policy

Mark is a freelance journalist and analyst with over 15 years of experience covering the insurance industry.

Ashlee, a former managing editor, insurance, at QuinStreet, is a journalist and business professional. She earned an MBA in 2014 with a concentration in finance. She has more than 15 years of hands-on experience in the finance industry.

Why you can trust Insure.com

Quality Verified

Auto insurance policies are filled with legal jargon that can make them confusing to understand. This is because a policy is a legal contract that binds the insurance company to perform specific actions under certain circumstances for an agreed-upon premium. Insurers want the contract to be as specific as possible, so policies are detailed and written in legalese.

Resist the temptation to gloss over your insurance, because understanding your insurance policy can help avoid costly coverage gaps or frustration with your insurer after an accident. As the saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

To read and understand your auto insurance policy, start with the declarations page because this defines your coverage, insured drivers, vehicles, and more. Review the declarations page periodically to ensure accuracy. Ensure you understand key terms in the definitions section, which clarifies who and what is covered. Also be aware of exclusions that may restrict your coverage and impact claims. 

Key Takeaways

Review the declarations page

The declarations page is arguably the most important page of your policy, but it shouldn’t be the only page you read.

“The declarations page ‘declares’ what coverages you have elected to have on your policy and which you have declined,” explains Carole Walker with the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. “It also includes details about coverage levels, deductions, named drivers and the price you pay for each coverage.”

The declarations page should be the first page and clearly labeled as “your policy declarations” or “declarations page.”

With many car insurance companies, you don’t have to wait for a paper copy to arrive — you can log in and view your policy online.

The information included on the declarations page includes:

Click here to zoom in

Review after changes and renewals

When you make changes to your policy, such as adding or removing a car or driver, you should be sent a new declarations page that shows the alterations to your policy.

If you don’t receive a new one within a week after the change, call your insurance company:

“It’s imperative that this page be reviewed at each renewal to ensure everything is accurate and the basic details have not changed,” warns Paul Dreher with Lawley Insurance in Buffalo, New York.

Choosing the right car insurance coverage levels and limits

Choosing the proper coverages and levels is one of the most important parts of car insurance. Without the proper coverage, you may be responsible for damages.

“It’s very important to have enough liability insurance, because if you’re involved in a serious accident, you may be sued,” advises Loretta Worters, vice president of communications with the Insurance Information Institute.

Here is a rundown of the various coverages and recommended levels:

QuickTake

Understanding confusing terms in your auto insurance policy

Because insurance policies are written in legal language, they can be confusing. All policies have a definitions section that defines specific words used in the policy.

“The ‘definitions’ section is extremely important as the terms contained there will define who is insured, what is insured, and when it is insured. You will need to refer back to the definition page often,” advises Kristofer Kirchen, with Advanced Insurance Managers.

Defined words will be bolded in the policy. Here are a few key terms:

“Ideally this should read ‘and or any insured’ which is a broad definition, not ‘the insured’ which is a much more narrow definition,” warns Amy Bach with United Policyholders. 

If your policy only notes “the insured” or “named insured” under the coverages section, you have a restrictive policy that does not extend coverages to those who are not specifically listed on the policy. This means your vehicle isn’t protected if a relative borrows your car and gets into an accident.

Keep an eye out for words and phrases such as “does not apply to,” “except,” “all,” and “however.” These words can proceed or follow coverage explanations and drastically change the meaning. 

If you discover words you don’t understand, check the definitions page or contact your insurer for clarification.

Read the insuring agreement

Car insurance policies will have an insuring agreement for each coverage type: liability, uninsured/underinsured, medical/PIP and collision and comprehensive.

“The insuring agreement is the actual binding contract that governs whether or not coverage is afforded in the event of a loss,” explains Kirchen. It defines what is covered and how it is covered.

Understand exclusions and limitations of your car insurance policy

Here are a couple of tips from Kirchen about reading your policy:

Items listed on your policy as an “exclusion” are not covered. Common exclusions include the following examples, with a note of what section of the policy they are considered:

If you have a restrictive policy, there may be many more exclusions. For example, your policy may not pay out if you allow permissive drivers or extend coverage to rental vehicles.

Tips on reading your auto insurance policy from insurance experts

The world of car insurance is filled with pitfalls that can leave you unprotected. Here are a few things to be aware of when shopping for coverage:

Minimum coverage is not enough

Meeting the state requirement is one thing, but having enough coverage to cover the cost of a new car, medical bills or a lawsuit is another. In California, the minimum required property liability coverage is $5,000. In 2015, the average cost of a new car was around $33,000. If you were at fault for totaling the other driver’s brand-new vehicle, you’d be stuck paying the $28,000 out of pocket.

“A major mistake that many consumers make is opting for the minimum state-required coverage,” warns Worters. “The minimum coverage for bodily injury may be as low as $10,000 per person. In today’s litigious society, that is not enough.”

“You should carry enough liability to protect your assets in the event of an accident. It’s possible to get additional coverage with a Personal Umbrella or Personal Excess Liability policy,” advises Worters.

Double the coverage isn’t double the price.

Carrying more coverage than the state minimums is not as unaffordable as you think – especially compared to the $28,000 price tag of the accident in the example above.

“In many situations, the cost to dramatically increase your coverage can be less than $100 per year,” advises Dreher. 

In fact, the national average to increase liability coverages from state minimum to 50/100/50 is around $67. 

Your old car probably doesn’t need collision and comprehensive

If you have a vehicle that you would replace instead of repairing after an accident, consider dropping collision and comprehensive. Typically, if the car is over 10 years old, its value no longer makes the cost of coverage worth it. For example, if your car is worth $3,000 and your deductible is $500, your potential payoff is $2,500. If your annual comp and collision premiums surpass 10% of the payoff — in this case $250 — consider canceling the coverage to save for a newer car.

Be aware of your credit report and score

If you aren’t current on your credit report and credit score, there’s no time like now.

“Your credit score and personal data impact your premium now more than ever,” warns Bach. “It’s important to make sure your insurer is basing your premium on accurate information about you and your credit.”

Personal finance experts advise paying for your three FICO credit scores once a year. Keeping this information accurate and resolving any incorrect information or identity fraud helps to secure the best rates.

Assess your coverage needs every few years

Whether buying a new car or having a baby, your personal assets change over time and protecting them with insurance is critical. 

“It’s important to review coverage options and become educated about the importance of adequate limits to protect your assets and future earnings,” advises Dreher.

Consider these questions and talk to your insurance agent or a financial advisor to make sure you are fully protected:

Insurance is complicated, so turning to an expert is a great idea if you have questions or trouble understanding your policy.

“Ultimately, the best advice is to speak with your agent in the event that you do not understand some of the verbiage or how the policy responds in a given circumstance. Be sure to do the reading and ask those questions before you have a loss,” says Kirchen.

Review your policy now

Take the time to honestly and realistically assess your assets and the protection offered by your current insurance policies.

If you find gaps or discover you are underinsured, it’s time to start shopping for new coverage. Even if you feel good about your coverage levels, shopping around may result in some savings. Insurers rate risk differently, so premium quotes can vary dramatically.

Frequently asked question

How do I read my insurance card?

Your auto insurance card provides a small glimpse into your policy – you might have a paper card you keep in your vehicle, or it might be downloaded to your smartphone. This card will usually display the name of the insured person — which is usually you — and the person’s address. It will likely have details on the insured vehicle, like its VIN. It will also provide your auto insurance policy number, the name of the insurance company and the company’s contact information. 

How do I know if my car insurance covers commercial use?

You will likely need commercial car insurance if you use your vehicle for business purposes outside of commuting, such as driving for a rideshare app. To determine if your policy covers commercial use, read the agreement or contact your insurance agent. Generally, personal policies exclude coverage for commercial activities and you likely need to buy a separate commercial auto policy. Don’t try to turn your vehicle into a business without knowing if you’re covered because you might not be protected. 

What key terms or clauses should I pay special attention to when reviewing my car insurance policy for the first time?

When shopping for car insurance and perusing a policy for the first time, put a special focus on coverage types, limits, and deductibles. You also want to have a clear idea about exclusions. Be aware of any endorsements that modify your policy and any coverage conditions. If you have any questions or changes, contact your insurer. 

Mark is a freelance journalist and analyst with over 15 years of experience covering the insurance industry.

In case you missed it

Copyright © 2024 Insure.com. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer: The advertisers appearing on this website are clients from which QuinStreet receives compensation (“Sponsors”). Compensation may impact where the Sponsors appear on this website (including the order in which they appear). Our websites do not, and are not intended to, provide a comprehensive list of all companies that may provide the products and services you are seeking.