10 Common Car Insurance Myths and Misconceptions

10 Common Car Insurance Myths and Misconceptions

Car Insurance Misconceptions

Since almost everyone has had to buy car insurance we all probably have heard and learned a number of myth-conceptions about car insurance. A good auto insurance agent will explain your coverage to you, but many people think they can bypass the agent and do it all online or with someone at an 800 number to save a few bucks. But 15 minutes could cost you a bundle. Don’t wait until after an accident to find out you don’t have the coverage you thought you did.

Here are some very common car insurance myths and misconceptions we run into in our office:

Myth: Full Coverage

Truth: Full coverage is a myth. If it existed and covered anything and everything, you could not afford it. Full coverage is a term the banks came up with to mean you have the insurance required for financing the car, in other words, the loan is fully covered, not you.

Myth: Red Cars Cost More to Insure

Truth: Color does not affect the price of your insurance. What is taken into consideration is the make, model, body type, engine size, year, and of course the driver’s information. So a red sports car costs the same to insure as a green sports car and a red station wagon costs the same to insure as a green one. But a sports car, no matter the color, does cost more to insure than the station wagon, and sports cars usually come in red and most station wagons don’t.

Myth: Expensive Cars Cost More to Insure

Truth: The repair cost of a vehicle and that model’s accident frequency actually are more of a factor than the car’s purchase price. A mid-priced car that more kids can afford to drive or that is difficult to repair will cost more to insure than a luxury car that is typically driven by more mature drivers. Check with your insurance agent before buying a car to avoid sticker shock.

Myth: The Driver’s Insurance Covers an Accident

Truth: If someone borrows your car and gets in a wreck, it is your insurance that will be responsible. If you borrow someone’s car and get in an accident, the owner’s insurance must pick up the tab. The car owner’s insurance is always primary, and the driver’s insurance is secondary (if it is covered at all — discuss your policy exclusions with your agent).

Myth: Your Loan Will Get Paid Off if Your Car is Totaled

Truth: Car insurance is designed to pay you (or your bank) the fair market value of your car. If you owe more on the car than it is worth, you are responsible for the difference. Even if the loan is paid off, you still have no car and will probably have to find the money for a downpayment and get a new loan to buy your replacement car. Be careful when buying a car that you don’t pay more for it than it is worth.
PS. If it costs more to fix your car than it is worth, the company will ‘total’ it and usually offer you the chance to buy the ‘totaled’ car back for the same price they can get for it from the scrap yard.

Myth: Credit History Does Not Affect Insurance Rates

Truth: Even though there are many factors that influence insurance rates, insurers have found that overall, a person who has poor credit is more likely to have an accident in the coming year than someone with good credit. In the past the only data the companies had was driving records, now they are finding that a poor credit record can tell them more than a few speeding tickets. For the best rates, keep a close watch on your credit score.

Myth: Not-At-Fault Accidents Don’t Count as Claims

Truth: You don’t have to be “at-fault” to lose your Accident Free discount. Call it the unlucky tax if you want, but it costs the insurance company money to handle your not-at-fault claim and you are more likely to have another one in the next year than the guy who has no claims at all.

Myth: Letting My Coverage Lapse Will Save Me Money

Truth: Going a few months without insurance may keep you from having to pay premiums but when you reinstate your policy, you will probably have to pay a higher rate due to the lapse. This higher rate, over the course of a year, could be more than your savings. Have your agent work up a quote for you as if you were starting over today and had not had insurance for a few months. Make an informed decision.
PS. If you drop your insurance and are still driving, you could get a ticket which will cost you more than you saved or, even worse, get in an accident with no insurance. Don’t take the risk.

Myth: Stuff In My Car Is Covered By My Car Insurance

Truth: If your ‘stuff’ is stolen out of your car, it is still only covered by your homeowners insurance or renters insurance just as if it was stolen out of your home. If you don’t have homeowners insurance or renters insurance, we can fix that!

Myth: Your Car Insurance Covers Business Use of Your Car

Truth: If you use your vehicle for Uber, Doordash, business purposes, or as a daily part of your job, your personal auto insurance may not protect you. While business auto insurance can cost more, you want to make sure there is coverage after an accident.

Truth: Mid-Columbia Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Broker

Give our insurance professionals a call today at (509)783-5600 or click “Get a Quote” to request a quote on your insurance.  At Mid-Columbia Insurance, our goal is to get you the coverage you want at a price you can afford!

Español: 10 Mitos y Conceptos Erróneos Comunes Sobre Seguros de Auto