Auto Insurance
What is Auto Liability Insurance and What Does it Cover?
By Insurance Blog
June 15, 2026
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Questions to Ask Your Agent During Your Auto Insurance Policy Review
By Insurance Blog
September 27, 2023
September 27, 2023
Don’t assume your insurance coverage should stay the same year over year. Your life changes, your vehicles change, and insurance requirements and costs evolve over time. The insurance experts at Grange Insurance Association have compiled these important questions to ask your independent insurance agent during your annual auto insurance policy review.
What Does Car Insurance Cover?
Car insurance coverage depends on the types of auto insurance you carry. Understanding your coverages and limits is the first step to making sure you have sufficient protection.
Liability insurance is considered the minimum required coverage in many states. It includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability. If you are at fault in an accident, liability coverage helps pay for the other driver’s medical expenses and lost wages, as well as damage to vehicles, fences, buildings, or other property.
Collision insurance helps cover damage to your own vehicle if you are involved in an accident, whether it involves another driver or a single-vehicle incident, such as hitting an object.
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by events outside of your control, including hail, falling objects, animal collisions, vandalism, or theft.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. PIP coverage is only offered in 17 states; however, Oregon and some other states require PIP insurance for all drivers.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage helps pay for medical expenses if you are injured by a driver who has no auto insurance or does not carry enough coverage to pay for the damages.
How Much Car Insurance Is Enough?
There is no single “correct” amount of auto insurance. While each state sets minimum coverage requirements, you often have flexibility in both the types of coverage you carry and the limits you choose. In Oregon, for example, drivers are required to carry the following minimum coverages and limits:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $20,000 per accident
- Personal Injury Protection: $15,000
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
However, state minimums may not be enough to fully protect you financially in the event of a serious accident—especially when you factor in rising medical costs and inflation. Your independent insurance agent can help you evaluate whether higher limits make sense for your situation.
Should I Adjust My Car Insurance Deductible?
Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage applies. Increasing your deductible generally lowers your premium, but it also means you will pay more upfront if you have a claim. During your policy review, ask your agent whether your current deductible still aligns with your budget and risk tolerance.
Have There Been Any Changes in My Household or Lifestyle?
One of the most important parts of an annual policy review is discussing changes in your life that may affect your coverage. Be sure to tell your agent about:
- New teen drivers or newly licensed drivers in your household
- Drivers who have moved out, gone to college, or are no longer using your vehicles
- Changes in employment, such as a new commute, remote work, or retirement
- Changes in your living situation, such as a move or change in garaging location
Keeping your policy up to date helps ensure you are properly covered and not paying for coverage you no longer need.
Learn more about teen drivers & your auto insurance, car insurance & rental cars, and what to do if you get in a car accident.
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