Your car insurance provides protection against accidents, but there are other add-ons you can use to supplement your existing policy. If you haven't considered any additional features for your policy, here are a few to think about as you review your policy.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance can help you get out of many sticky situations, including flat tires, car lockouts, or running out of gas. With this add-on, the insurance company typically gets billed directly, which means you can get a tow, jump start, or spare tire put on without having to pay money upfront. Some policies may also include provisions that any services not covered under your policy be negotiated at a lower rate, which helps you to save money even if your repairs won't be paid for by the roadside assistance plan.
Be sure to check your vehicle's current warranty to see if you already have roadside assistance with your dealership before you purchase this type of coverage.
Gap Insurance
Gap insurance is a good option for anyone who has just purchased a new vehicle. This policy helps to make up the difference between the sticker price and the depreciated value of a vehicle should your car become totaled. Essentially, this policy can prevent you from still owing money on a vehicle you are no longer able to drive. For example, if you drive a new car off of the dealership lot and total the car down the block, your insurance company won't give you the exact amount of money you owe on the car.
With gap insurance, you can make up that difference so you won't have to make payments on the vehicle. Some dealerships may require you to get this add-on when you lease a new vehicle as part of your rental agreement.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Not every driver on the road carries car insurance, and that can mean disaster if you end up in an accident with an uninsured driver. As a way to protect yourself, you can take out an add-on called uninsured motorist coverage. This type of policy helps to cover the cost of repairs for your vehicle and medical costs associated with the crash. With this type of policy add-on, you won't have to worry about taking the other driver to court over the cost of the damages and injuries after a crash.
Talk to your auto insurance agent about the different add-ons that are available, and select the ones that fit your budget and your lifestyle.
