Car insurance questions

Check out the company
What is the insurance company's reputation?______________________

• Check with your state insurance department to make sure the company is licensed in your state and see if they keep a record of complaints. Or go to the NAIC Consumer Information Source Web site.

If they do keep a record, what is the company's record?______________________

What is their financial rating?______________________

• Go to www.ambest.com to how they rank.

Premiums
What kind of coverage do you need?______________________

• Bodily injury and personal property liability are the big ones.
• • What is your state minimum requirement on bodily injury and personal property liability? Odds are it might not be enough if you have assets to lose in case of a lawsuit resulting from an accident. Consider an umbrella policy to get more protection.
• Personal injury protection pays for both medical expenses and lost wages to the policyholder and covers the policyholder's passengers. Drivers in good health with a disability policy could go for the minimum on this coverage.
• Collision and comprehensive falls under the optional category if you're driving an old beater. Collision will pay for the replacement or repair of the car in any kind of accident while comprehensive covers you for natural disasters or theft. For newer cars, carrying the highest deductible you can afford will lower the premiums on these two.
• Uninsured motorist will protect you from the yahoos with no insurance or not enough liability coverage to pay for the damages if they're at fault. It also covers you in the event of a hit-and-run.

How much will the coverage you need cost?______________________

How does it compare with what other companies are charging?______________________