When you’re looking for car insurance, you have a lot of options today. But how do you know which policy is right for you? Here are five tips to get you the protection you need.

Start With Mandatory Auto Liability Requirements for West Virginia

All motorists in West Virginia need to carry at least the minimum liability insurance required by the state:

• Liability insurance - $25,000 per person
• Liability insurance - $50,000 per accident
• Property damage - $25,000
• Uninsured motorist coverage - $25,000 per person
• Uninsured motorist coverage - $50,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist property damage - $25,000

Liability insurance covers you if you are at fault in an accident or if you are hit by someone without insurance.

Increase Your Protection With Higher Liability Caps

The amounts listed above are just the minimum required by the state. These days medical expenses and vehicle repairs or replacement after an accident are often higher than the limits on a minimum insurance policy.

Therefore, we often recommend to our clients that they carry higher liability insurance, so they don’t have to pay out of pocket once their insurance cap is exceeded. This is particularly important if you have young drivers in your household or if you are someone with high net worth.

Choose Full Coverage Insurance for Complete Protection

Once you’ve selected your liability coverage, it’s time to add full coverage, which is made up of two parts:

• Collision insurance to repair your vehicle after a crash in which you were at fault or hit by someone who is uninsured
• Comprehensive insurance in case your car or truck is vandalized, stolen, or damaged by fire, storms, or natural disasters

Be aware that most lenders require full coverage if you finance your vehicle. We think it’s just good sense if you rely on your auto to do all the day-to-day things in your life.

Understand How Your Deductible Affects Your Premiums

Every auto insurance policy has an associated deductible; this is the amount you pay out of pocket after filing a claim — usually around $500 to $1,000. To pay a slightly lower premium, look at policies that have a higher deductible. Want a lower deductible? You’ll probably have to pay a bit more in your premiums.

Ask Our Independent Agents to Customize a Policy for You

When you shop for insurance with big-name companies, you’ll find you have limited options because you’re bound to one of their limited offerings. However, independent agents like Wickline Insurance have a large menu of auto insurance products because we work with all carriers, including some you may not have access to yourself.

You will appreciate our personalized service when we tailor an auto insurance policy to you. We make it easy to upgrade, add drivers, and file a claim. Call us at 304-252-1483 today to get the policy that’s right for you, or start a policy online any time.