In most states throughout the United States auto insurance is compulsory. Some states, however, do not require an individual to buy auto insurance. For instance, the state of Virginia requires that residents pay $500 to the state annually per vehicle if they do not wish to purchase liability insurance for their vehicles.

There can be penalties you may have to pay if you do not get auto insurance. The penalties can vary from state to state but they normally include a fine of some sort, license or registration suspension and even revocation, and also you could sever jail time in some states. Normally, the lowest form of insurance required by law is third party insurance.

There are several different coverage plans to choose from when you get your vehicle insured. Liability is the lowest form of coverage. Liability is available through a split limit policy or a combined single limit policy. A combined single limit policy combines both bodily injury and property damage into one single payment. A split limit policy splits the two into different payments. Collision coverage is another one of the many types of coverage's. Collision coverage provides payments for a vehicle that needs to be repaired due to collision damage. If the vehicle is unable to be repaired then the collision coverage will provide payment of the cash value.

A vehicle that is covered by damage from something other than a collision is covered by comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage covers damage from things such as theft, vandalism, weather, and fire. Loss of use coverage, or rental coverage, is yet another coverage plan. Loss of use coverage provides payment on rental expenses associated with an insured vehicle in need of repair due to a covered loss.

Car towing coverage, or roadside assistance coverage, is the last form of coverage. In the past a car insurance companies normally would only pay for the cost of a towing if it is related to an accident covered under the policy of insurance. The car towing coverage, however, pay for non-accident related tows. Non-accident related tows include things such as mechanical issues, flat tires, and running out of gas.

Due to the statistic that male drivers have a higher involvement in accidents their rates are normally higher than that of a female driver's. Age is a factor that can determine the rate of car insurance also. Teenage drivers tend to have higher insurance premiums but if they have a good academic record then their insurer may give them a discount. Around the age of 25 it is common that your insurance premiums will start to decrease also.

When your car is repaired under your insurance policy you have to pay a fixed contribution known as an excess payment. Compulsory excess is when you pay the minimum excess payment that your insurer will accept for your policy. A voluntary excess is when you pay extra in the event of a claim on your policy. It is possible to get a lower premium from your insurer if you pay an extra amount through voluntary excess.

In conclusion it is a smart idea to at least insure your vehicle with liability coverage. Don't forget there are many other different types of coverage to choose from. Some may suit you better than liability. If you don't choose to insure you vehicle remember that there can be consequences to pay. Just choose what you feel is best for you.