COLLISION COVERAGE
Coverage provided in the event that your vehicle "collides" (or makes contact) with another object - like a vehicle, building, or shopping cart. There are some situations, however, in which your vehicle making contact with another object would not be considered collision, such as:
- Contact with a bird or animal
- Missiles or falling objects
- Explosion or earthquake
- Malicious mischief or vandalism (caused by a person(s) other than the person insured)
- Riot or civil commotion, or
- Breakage of glass
- Collision losses are paid regardless of fault.
COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE
Coverage provided for damage to your vehicle from an instance other than a collision. Some examples are as follows:
- Fire
- Theft or larceny (in the event that an insured vehicle is stolen, rental reimbursement coverage is provided 48 hours after the theft of the vehicle with coverage ending with the settlement of the loss)
- Windstorm
- Hail, water, or flood
BODILY INJURY LIABILITY
Coverage provided to persons (other than the policyholder) who are injured in an automobile accident that the insured individual is found to be at fault for and is held legally liable. Damages are paid for injuries sustained to the person as a result of the automobile accident.
This coverage also pays for legal defense costs in the event the policyholder is sued as a result of the automobile accident.
PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY
Coverage provided for property that is damaged by the insured person in an automobile accident that the insured is found to be at fault for and is held legally liable. Some items that are considered "property" are vehicles, buildings and fences.
MEDICAL PAYMENTS
Coverage provided for medical and/or funeral expenses resulting from injuries received in an automobile accident. Only those expenses incurred within three years of the date of the accident will be covered. This coverage is provided regardless of who is at fault in the accident but is only available to the policyholder and any other person injured while in the vehicle involved in the accident.
PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION
Coverage provided for medical and/or funeral expenses resulting from injuries received in an automobile accident. Only those expenses incurred within three years from the date of the accident will be covered. This coverage is provided regardless of who is at fault in the accident but is only available to the policyholder and any other person injured while in the vehicle involved in the accident.
This coverage provides additional benefits that are not found in the Medical Payments coverage:
- Loss of income from employment (80% limit, must be employed at the time of the accident and be an income producer)
- Expenses incurred for obtaining services that would normally have been performed without pay during the period of disability for the care and maintenance of the family or household, such as maid or cleaning service.
UNINSURED MOTORIST BODILY INJURY COVERAGE
Coverage provided in the event the insured person is involved in an automobile accident, and is not at fault or legally liable for the accident. If the party responsible for the accident does not have an insurance policy to pay for damages, this coverage would pay for injuries sustained as a result of the automobile accident.
UNDERINSURED MOTORIST BODILY INJURY COVERAGE
Coverage provided in the event the insured person is involved in an automobile accident, and is not at fault or legally liable for the accident. If the party responsible for the accident does not have an insurance policy that provides enough coverage to pay for damages, this coverage would pay for injuries sustained as a result of the automobile accident.
UNINSURED MOTORIST PROPERTY DAMAGE COVERAGE
Coverage provided in the event the insured person is involved in an automobile accident, and is not at fault or legally liable for the accident. If the party responsible for the accident does not have an insurance policy to pay for damages, this coverage would pay for damage to the policyholder’s vehicle resulting from the automobile accident.
UNDERINSURED MOTORIST PROPERTY DAMAGE COVERAGE
Coverage provided in the event the insured person is involved in an automobile accident, and is not at fault or legally liable for the accident. If the party responsible for the accident does not have an insurance policy that provides enough coverage to pay for damages, this coverage would pay for damage to the policyholder’s vehicle resulting from the automobile accident.
TOWING AND LABOR COSTS COVERAGE
Coverage for towing and labor costs if your vehicle is disabled, up to the limit shown on the policy. Only the labor performed at the location the vehicle became inoperable is covered.
RENTAL REIMBURSEMENT COVERAGE
Coverage for the reimbursement of rental car fees charged when an insured vehicle is not available for use for more than 24 hours due to a loss, other than theft. This coverage has a limitation of $20.00 per day with a maximum limit of $600.00.
MEXICO COVERAGE
Coverage is provided for accidents occurring in Mexico within 25 miles of the United States border. This extension of coverage only applies for infrequent trips into Mexico that do not exceed ten days at any one time.
Auto accidents in Mexico are subject to the laws of Mexico only, NOT the laws of the United States. The Republic of Mexico considers an auto accident a CRIMINAL OFFENSE as well as a civil matter.
In some cases, the coverage may NOT be recognized by Mexican authorities and the company may not be allowed to implement this coverage at all in Mexico. You should consider purchasing auto coverage from a licensed Mexican Insurance Company BEFORE driving into Mexico.
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones are NOT covered under the policy unless they are permanently installed in the opening of the dash or console of the automobile. The opening must be normally used by the auto manufacturer for the installation of a radio.
Coverage can be added for mobile phones that are not permanently installed as described above for an additional premium charge based on the value of the mobile phone.
AUTO DEATH INDEMNITY COVERAGE
Coverage is provided in the event of death of the covered person resulting from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. This coverage is provided regardless of who is at fault in the accident but is only available to the person(s) listed on the appropriate coverage form and only if death occurs within 90 days after the accident date or within 52 weeks after the accident date and during a period of continuous total disability of the person injured. The coverage limits available are usually $5,000. Or $10,000.
TOTAL DISABILITY COVERAGE
Coverage is provided in the event an insured person is disabled due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Payment will be $60.00 per week if the injured person is employed at the time of the accident and $30.00 per week if the injured person is unemployed at the time of the accident and will begin 20 days from the date of the accident. The disability must be continuous in order for payments to continue. The maximum period allowed is 200 weeks. This coverage is provided regardless of who is at fault in the accident but is only available to the insured and any other person injured while occupying the vehicle involved in the accident.
Optional credits are available on Automobile Insurance Policies as established by the Texas Department of Insurance. The type of credits available vary from company to company.
Academic Achievement Discount
A credit can be applied on a vehicle driven by someone under the age of 25 if:
- He or she is enrolled as a full time student in the junior or senior year of high school or is taking academic courses in an institution of higher education.
- The student maintains a "B" average or better; or 3.0 average or above on a 4.0 scale
You must show the student’s official scholastic records for the preceding academic grade reporting period as proof to receive this credit.
Adult Operator Age and Mileage Discounts
This credit is commonly referred to as the "senior citizen" discount and may be applied based on the age of the driver and/or annual mileage driven. The most common age range for which the discount applies is 50-74.
Anti-lock Brake Discount
This credit may be applied when a vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock brake system, which could lessen the likelihood of an automobile accident. Your vehicle may have a 2 wheel or 4 wheel anti-lock brake system.
Anti-theft Discount
This credit is applied to a vehicle that is equipped with a qualifying anti-theft device. Written verification of the type of alarm system installed on the vehicle is required by the company. The device types are as follows:
- Anti-hot-wiring circuit: a circuit or method that prevents a vehicle from starting, including ignition interrupts, starter interrupts, or fuel interrupts.
- Armored steel collar: a device that covers the steering column to prevent access to the ignition system.
- Backup battery: an auxiliary power source that trips an alarm device if the main power source is disconnected or if wires to the alarm device are cut or disconnected.
- Door sensor: mechanical switch that activates the alarm device.
- Glass sensor: electronic device that activates the alarm device if it detects the sound of breaking glass or metal in contact with glass.
- Hood restraint: device preventing full access to under-hood components, including chain restraints that allow hood opening a maximum of four inches, a mechanical or electrical device that physically locks the hood down, or a mechanical or electrical device that prevents the factory supplied hood mechanism from operating.
- Hood sensor:mechanical switch that activates the alarm device
- Motion Sensor: mechanical device that activates the alarm device if the vehicle is jacked up or towed.
- Stolen vehicle recovery system: an independently operated system that automatically notifies a monitoring center if a vehicle equipped with the system is started by any means other than through use of an ignition key.
- Trunk Sensor: mechanical switch that activates the alarm device if the trunk is opened while the alarm system is armed.
- Ultrasonic sensor: electronic device that activates the alarm device if an ultrasonic field is disturbed inside the motor vehicle.
- Vibration Sensor: mechanical or electrical device that activates the alarm device if any part of the vehicle is bumped, causing vibration.
- Window identification system: the vehicle identification number (serial number) is permanently marked on at least two windows of the vehicle other than the small vent windows
*This credit only applies to the comprehensive coverage premium. If this coverage is not selected, the credit cannot be applied to the policy.
Daytime-Running-Lights Discount
This credit may be given for a vehicle equipped with daytime-running-lights system. The system can be original equipment or a system installed after purchase by a qualified technician.
Driver Improvement Course Credit
This credit is commonly referred to as a Driver Training course or a Defensive Driver Training Course credit.
- The Driver Training credit is available for any male driver under the age of 25 or any female driver under the age of 21 who has completed an approved Driver Education Course.
- The Defensive Driver Training credit is available for any operator who has completed a Driving Safety Course approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA)
*Certain additional criteria must be met in order for this credit to be applied as it relates to the rating calculation of the policy.
Passive Restraint Discount
A Passive Restraint System is a system that (1) is continually operative the moment an individual enters the auto and the auto begins movement, (2) restrains the occupants from movement in the event of a collision and (3) automatically deploys without any manual operation being performed by the occupants of the auto.
This credit is commonly referred to as an "airbag" or "automatic seatbelt" credit.
*This credit only applies to Medical Payments and/or Personal Injury Protection coverage premiums. If one of these coverages is not selected, the credit cannot be applied to the policy.
Renewal Discount
This credit may be given after a policy has been in force for over 6 months and is based upon the driving experience of the members of a household to which the policy applies. Most companies require that the drivers be loss free for at least 3 years.
Student Away at School Discount
A credit can be applied for a household member who meets the following criteria:
- Male under the age of 25 or an unmarried female under the age of 21
- A student living away from home to attend school, and
- does not own an auto or have an auto furnished for his or her regular use at school.
