Car Insurance Coverage Explained
Enter your ZIP code to compare quotes once you know the coverage you want.
By the AutoQuotesByZip editorial team. Last reviewed: October 4, 2026. Cost data: NAIC 2024.
A car insurance quote is a bundle of separate coverages, each with its own limit or deductible. Comparing quotes only works when each insurer prices the same bundle. This page explains each coverage, what it typically costs and where to learn more.
Enter your ZIP code to compare quotes once you know the coverage you want.
The main coverages
| Coverage | What it pays for | Required? | U.S. average premium, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Injuries you cause to other people | Yes, in every state except Florida and New Hampshire (see notes) | $813 (all liability) |
| Property damage liability | Damage you cause to other vehicles and property | Yes, in every state except New Hampshire | included above |
| Collision | Damage to your car from a crash, minus your deductible | No (lenders usually require it) | $516 |
| Comprehensive | Theft, weather, fire, glass, animal strikes, minus your deductible | No (lenders usually require it) | $283 |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Your medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault | Yes in no-fault states and some others | varies by state |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) | Your injuries when the at-fault driver has no or too little insurance | Required in at least 16 states and D.C. | varies by state |
Compare quotes for your ZIP code with the same coverages and deductibles.
Coverage guides
- Minimum car insurance requirements by state — the legal floor in every state, with official sources.
- Full coverage vs liability only — when collision and comprehensive are worth paying for.
- Uninsured motorist coverage by state — where uninsured drivers are most common and which states require UM.
- No-fault car insurance states — how PIP and lawsuit thresholds work.
Limits and deductibles
Liability coverage has limits — the most the insurer pays, written as per person / per accident / property damage. Collision and comprehensive have deductibles — the amount you pay before the insurer pays. Higher limits cost more; higher deductibles cost less. When comparing quotes, fix the limits and deductibles first, then compare price.
Sources
AutoQuotesByZip.com is an independent comparison and information website. We are not an insurance company, and we do not sell, underwrite or service policies. When you submit a ZIP code you are taken to a partner quote form, and we may be paid when you request quotes. See how we make money and our editorial policy.