Why do I need Auto Insurance?

Auto insurance is more than a matter of insuring your vehicle for loss or repairs after an accident. It is a financial safety net that can help you offset the cost of:

  • Bodily injuries to yourself or others
     
  • Lost wages due to injury
     
  • Benefits to survivors when an accident results in death
     
  • Lawsuits brought against you as the result of an accident
     
  • Repairs made to your auto due to damage caused in an accident.
This Web site will guide you through some important decisions about your automobile insurance. How much coverage do you really need? How much liability insurance? Is there any way to save money on auto insurance? First, you'll need to know just what kinds of coverage are available. Many states require a basic liability coverage, but you must decide how much additional insurance you need. You select a package of insurance from standard types of coverage - a package that will protect you, your family, your vehicle and your assets. Your particular package could include:
 
  • Bodily Injury Liability
     
  • Property Damage Liability
     
  • Collision Coverage
     
  • Comprehensive Coverage
     
  • Medical Payments Coverage
     
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection
     

 
What should I do if I get in an accident?
 

First, it's important that you always carry your insurance coverage information with the contact numbers in your wallet, and in your glove compartment.

Then, if you get in an accident: 

  • Get yourself and if possible, your car in a safe, visible place. Turn on the hazard lights and turn off the ignition if your car cannot be moved. Be careful exiting your car. 
  • Determine if anyone is injured. Do not move an injured person except in cases of imminent danger to that person. 
  • Call the police immediately (911 in most places). Report any injuries.
  • If another vehicle is involved, get the car's year, make, model number, licensed plate number, driver's name, address, license number, and name of his or her insurance company and policy number. Write down names and addresses of other passengers or witnesses. 
  • Write down the names and badge numbers of police and emergency personnel at the scene. Ask the officer how to obtain a copy of the police report for your insurance claim. 
  • If you suspect the other driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, ask that a breath or drug test be performed. 
  • Cooperate with police fully. 
  • Do not accept money to repair damages from the other driver. By accepting money, you may give up your right to file a claim against the other driver, even if damages turn out to be more expensive than you first thought. 
  • Don't forgive and forget when it comes to a minor accident. You may see later that there were hidden damages or injuries. The other person may even file a lawsuit against you. 
  • Write down an account of what happened: include the time of day, weather, hazards, road conditions and driving speed. Draw a picture of the street, showing stop signs, signal lights, etc. Note any skid marks and damage already on other cars involved. If a camera is available, it's a good idea to take pictures of the accident. 
  • Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible so they can begin to work on your claim. If you're insured with MetLife Auto & Home, the toll-free number is: 1-800-854-6011.
Why did my auto insurance go up because of the few speeding tickets I received? You didn't have to pay any money out
 

You're being surcharged for these traffic violations because statistics show that more often than not, speeding can lead to serious accidents causing property damage and injuries to you or others. Your insurance premiums reflect that risk.  For your own safety and financial well being, please take this into consideration.
Personal Excess Liability Insurance     "UMBRELLA POLICY"
Protect The Things You've Worked So Hard For.

All of your assets could be at risk if a liability suit is filed against you. Sadly, people these days are filing larger lawsuits and are being awarded bigger judgements.
Protect your hard-earned assets with a MetLife Auto & Home Personal Excess Liability Policy.

Keep Your Assets From Becoming Liabilities.

The more you have, the more you are at risk. A Personal Excess Liability Policy is the extra protection you need for peace of mind.

Personal Excess Liability includes coverage for lawsuits that result from injuries others sustain while on your property, or as a result of an accident involving your auto, boat, snowmobile or RV, for example.

Judgements from these lawsuits can exceed the liability limits on your underlying insurance policies, especially if there is a critical injury or loss of life.

Liability Protection Means Peace Of Mind.

A Personal Excess Liability Policy from MetLife Auto & Home gives you two types of valuable coverage.

Additional Liability Coverage - For you and your family over and above the present amounts you now have on your:

  • Auto
  • Home
  • Boat
  • Recreational Vehicles
  • Snowmobile

Primary Coverage - For important non-business liability claims not covered on your other policies. Liability claims such as:

  • Defamation of Character
  • Libel
  • Slander
  • False Arrest

Note: A $500 deductible applies to a covered claim where there is no underlying coverage. In Texas, a $1,000 deductible applies to a claim where there is no required underlying coverage.

Payment For Court Costs Too.

If you ever needed legal defense for a covered claim, we could pay:

  • Defense costs, which could be substantial and not covered by your basic policies.
  • Lost wages of up to $100 per day, a maximum of $5,000, if we ask you to appear at a hearing or testify in court.
  • Interest on unpaid judgements.
  • Premiums on appeal bonds.
  • Reasonable expenses incurred by us.
  • Reasonable expenses incurred by you at our request.

Here's What You Need. 

To qualify for a Personal Excess Liability Policy, you must have certain liability limits on your other insurance policies.

The auto insurance liability limits are as follows:

  • Auto: $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury and $50,000 property damage, or $300,000 single limit coverage (In Texas, you must have $325,000 single limit coverage)
  • If your automobile is insured by a company other than MetLife Auto & Home, you must carry $250,000/$500,000 in bodily injury and $100,000 in property damage or $300,000 single limit coverage.

The home insurance liability limits are as follows:

  • Home: $100,000 liability coverage per occurrence. You must also have personal injury coverage on your home insurance policy.
  • If a company other than MetLife Auto & Home insures your home, you must carry a $300,000, single-limit coverage.
  • If you have a boat or a RV, you must also have $100,000 in liability coverage specially for those items.
  • If a company other than MetLife Auto & Home insures your boat or RV, you must carry $300,000 single limit coverage.

Take Advantage Of Flexible Payment Plans.

Flexible payment plans at MetLife Auto & Home make things nice and easy. We offer a variety of direct billing options*.

Also consider ExpressItSM, which conveniently deducts your payments from your checking account. This plan features no paper bills, no checks to write and no clutter. Plus, you get to pick your own billing dates. Simply select the 1st, 8th, 15th, or 22nd day of the month as the day you want your payment automatically deducted from your account -- the choice is yours!
* Minimum annual premium required.
What If My Assets Exceed The Highest Liability Limit You Offer?
 

You should consider an excess liability policy. MetLife Auto & Home offers a Personal Excess Liability ('Umbrella') policy.

 

How Much Liability Protection Do I Need On My Automobile Policy?
 

Even the most careful driver can make a mistake and cause an accident. The next time you get in your auto, it's possible you could be involved in an accident in which someone else is seriously injured. You don't even have to be 100% at fault in the accident to face financial liability.

You are buying Bodily Injury coverage to protect your assets in the event of a judgment against you. Your per person Bodily Injury limit should be at least as large if not larger than the value of the sum of the following assets:

  • Equity in your home (Market Value - Mortgage)
  • Cash Value of your vehicles
  • Stocks
  • Bonds
  • Bank Accounts

What Is The Difference Between Collision And Comprehensive Coverage?
 

Comprehensive

This optional coverage pays for damage to your auto caused by perils other than a collision. This includes fire, theft, hail, vandalism, riots, damage caused by animals, and glass breakage. There are various deductible options that you can select for this coverage.

Keep in mind that not every non-collision related loss is covered under Comprehensive. For instance, your damages are not covered if they are caused by wear and tear, freezing, mechanical breakdown or road damage to tires by potholes. Also, certain property such as tapes and compact disks are not covered. Finally, make sure to notify your insurance company of any customization you do to your vehicle after it is purchased or it may not be covered.

Note that sound equipment like CD players, AM/FM cassettes, and TV's are covered under your auto policy if they are permanently installed.

Collision

This optional coverage will pay for damage to your auto regardless of who causes the accident. Collision Coverage applies if your auto is hit by another vehicle or if your auto hits other objects that cause damage to your vehicle. There are various deductible options, which you can select for this coverage.

Is My Friend Covered Under My Automobile Policy If I Lend Him/Her My Covered Automobile?
 

Whenever you give permission for a friend or associate to borrow your car, he or she is covered under your automobile insurance policy.

Should I Put My Teenager On A Separate Policy With Lower Bodily Injury Limits To Save Money?
 

It would be wise to have all children that you consider as dependents on your policy. An injured party will most likely go after the parents assets if the at fault minor child has insufficient insurance coverage. Also, bear in mind that inexperienced drivers have accidents at a much higher rate than experienced drivers do.

Who do I list on my policy?
 

Every member of your household should be listed on the policy including non-drivers and children.

What Happens If I Am A Passenger In A Friend's Car And I'm Injured As A Result Of An Uninsured Motorist?
 

If your friend has Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) or Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury protection (UIMBI), you will be covered under his/her policy. If your friend does not have UMBI or UIMBI, you will receive protection under your UMBI or UIMBI coverage.If your friend has Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) or Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury protection (UIMBI), you will be covered under his/her policy. If your friend does not have UMBI or UIMBI, you will receive protection under your UMBI or UIMBI coverage.

Do I Need Collision Protection On My Automobile?
 

Many people wonder if they should always purchase Collision protection. In order to make the decision, you need to know the current value of your auto and the cost of coverage. Generally speaking, vehicles decline in value as they age. Only you can decide if collision coverage is necessary after considering whether the cost of insurance is more economical than the cost of repairing or replacing the car at your own expense. Nonetheless, here are some guidelines to help you make a decision that is best for you.

  • If your auto is leased or financed, you are probably required to maintain Collision as well as Comprehensive coverage.
  • If the value of your vehicle is only slightly higher than the deductible chosen, then it makes no sense to purchase Collision or Comprehensive coverage.
  • If your 6 month premium for the sum of these coverages (Collision and/or Comprehensive), when multiplied by 4, is greater than the value of your auto, then it is not economically feasible to purchase physical damage for that vehicle.

If I want comprehensive and / or collision coverage, do I need to choose it on all my insured vehicles?
 

You can make comprehensive and / or collision coverage choices individually for each of your insured vehicles.

If Another Driver Hits My Vehicle, Do I Have To Wait For The Other Driver To Pay For Damages To My Automobile?
 

Not if you chose collision coverage. If you chose collision coverage, we will pay for damage to your car (the cost of damage to your car less the deductible) regardless of who is at-fault in the accident. If the other driver was at fault, we will try to recover the cost of the collision damage from the driver and reimburse you for any deductible charges you may have paid.

 

I Am A Very Safe Driver And I Have Never Had An Accident, Should I Still Buy Comprehensive And Collision Coverage?
 

You may be an excellent driver but consider the following possibilities:

  • We can all make mistakes.
  • An uninsured driver could hit you.
  • You could be hit while parked.

Comprehensive covers you for losses caused by things other than motor vehicle accidents.

If you believe all of the following items are true, then you might consider carrying only Comprehensive coverage:

  • You and all family members are better than average drivers.
  • Your auto is 5 or more years old.
  • You can afford to purchase another vehicle without any insurance recovery if your auto were totaled tomorrow.
  • Your collision premium, when multiplied by 8, is greater than the value of your auto.

How Large Of A Deductible Should I Select?
 

Well, the larger the deductible the greater your savings, and risk, will be. Select a deductible based on the largest amount that you are comfortable paying for repairs to your vehicle in the event of an accident.

My Automobile Has Been Stolen. Will My Insurance Pay For A Rental?
 

If you carry comprehensive coverage on your stolen vehicle, you will be reimbursed on a rental up to a certain limit. However, if your auto is in the repair shop due to an accident, your insurance company will pay for a rental if you have purchased optional Substitute Transportation coverage.

Does My Automobile Insurance Policy Extend Coverage to Rental automobiles?
 

Some insurance companies don't cover rental cars automatically. At MetLife Auto & Home, the coverages you have on your present policy also apply to rental cars. However, if you don't have collision or comprehensive on your current automobile policy, you will not have them on a rental car either.

There may also be gaps in your insurance that will not cover the time a rental vehicle is absent from the rental fleet while it is being repaired or replaced. Check with your insurance consultant to ensure your protection.

Why Does My Insurance Premium Go Up When I Have A Ticket or Accident?
 

Statistics have shown that people who have recently been involved in an accident or have received a ticket are more likely to have another accident than those individuals whose driving records are incident free. Consequently, we charge a premium that most accurately reflects the likelihood of an individual having another accident within their policy term.