Auto Insurance

What is auto insurance?
Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy.

Auto insurance provides property, liability and medical coverage:

• Property coverage pays for damage to or theft of your car. Find out more about comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.
• Liability coverage pays for your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage. Find out more about auto liability insurance.
• Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses. Find out more about medical coverage in your car insurance policy.

Find out more about what the limits on your auto policy mean. An auto insurance policy is comprised of six different kinds of coverage. Most states require you to buy some, but not all, of these coverages. If you're financing a car, your lender may also have requirements.

Most auto policies are for six months or a year. Your insurance company should notify you by mail when it's time to renew the policy and to pay your premium.

Why do you need auto insurance?
It's really all about protecting yourself financially.

• If you're in an accident or your car is stolen, it costs money, often a lot of money, to fix or replace it.
• If you or any passengers are injured in an accident, medical costs can be extremely expensive.
• If you or your car is responsible for damage or injury to others, you may be sued for much more than you're worth.
• Not only is having insurance a prudent financial decision, many states require you to have at least some coverage.
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Questions to ask your agent
Your  Bauer Insurance Agent is an advocate for finding auto insurance that meets your specific needs. Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for the discussion:

• How much can you afford to pay if you get in an accident? (To keep premiums low you may want to have a higher deductible and be willing to pay more for repairs.)
• What is the insurance company's level of service and ability to pay claims?
• What discounts are available? (Ask about good driver, multiple policy and student discounts.)
• What's the procedure for filing and settling a claim? (Ask who to call and what happens after you file a claim.)

What is 25/50/10 insurance coverage?

The quick answer to that question is;" State minimum Auto Liability coverage.." 

The best answer is: 

1.  All states require that any car being driven on public roads must carry as least minimum liability insurance.  When you own a car you must carry liability insurance to pay for losses you may cause to someone's body or property with your vehicle. 

2. The statement, 25/50/10, is an example of Split Limit liability.  The first two numbers are for Bodily Injury.  The third number is for Property Damage. 

3. The first 25 is $25,000 is the maximum  payable per person who is injured.  The 50 is $50,000 is the maximum that would be paid per accident.  If there are more three or more people injured the money will have to be apportioned out.

4. . The bodily injury liability is to cover doctor's/hospital bills, lost income, pain and suffering and, possible, disability settlements. However, the insurance company will only pay the actual loss. The full amount of liability is not a guarantee to pay that amount.

5.  The property damage liability is to pay for damage to another person's property caused by the collision.  That may be their car, their garage door, a road sign or the side of their house or any property damaged by your vehicle.

6. Higher Limits of liability are always recommended.  Amounts such as 50/100/50, 100/300/100, 250/500/250 or 500/1000/500 are available. They can be in variables of those numbers, also.

See "How Much Auto Liability should I carry?"

Thank you for your interest in Bauer Insurance Agency. We work diligently to bring you the best coverage options at the best rates. Please feel free to call our office at 636-947-3000 or email us your questions and an insurance agent will reply promptly.

Insuring: O’Fallon, Wentzville, Lake Saint Louis, Warrenton, Winfield, Troy, Arnold, Fenton, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Mehlville, Florissant, Maplewood, Kirkwood and Hazelwood, MO