Choosing car insurance means making important decisions. One of the biggest questions drivers ask is, “Should I get comprehensive coverage or just liability?” This choice plays a big role in how much protection you get and how much you’ll pay. At Maryland Auto Insurance Provider, we help you understand the difference so you can choose the best option for your needs. As your trusted MAIF auto insurance provider in Bowie, MD, we provide multiple policy options for your vehicle.
What Is Liability Insurance?
This is the most basic type of car insurance. Maryland requires this insurance by law. This coverage helps pay for injuries or property damage if you cause an accident.
The two parts of liability insurance:
- Bodily Injury Liability: Pays for the other person’s medical bills if they get hurt in an accident you caused.
- Property Damage Liability: Pays for damage to the other person’s car or property.
Liability insurance does not cover your own car or injuries. If you get car damage from an accident, you’ll have to pay to fix it yourself unless you have extra coverage.
What Is Comprehensive Coverage?
Comprehensive coverage protects your car from things other than accidents with other vehicles. It covers damage from events like:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Fire
- Hitting a deer or other animal
- Storm damage (like hail or falling branches)
- Broken glass (like a cracked windshield)
Comprehensive coverage helps you pay to fix or replace your car if someone steals it or if it’s damaged by a non-accident event. Most drivers add it along with collision coverage, which pays for damage when you hit another vehicle or object.
Which One Should You Choose?
We may recommend liability coverage if you:
- Have an older car that isn’t worth a lot.
- Want to keep insurance costs low.
- Need only basic coverage.
Comprehensive coverage is good if you:
- Have a newer or more valuable car.
- Park outside or live in areas with a high risk of theft, weather damage, or vandalism.
- Want more peace of mind and better protection.
If you’re still paying off your car loan, your lender may require you to have comprehensive and collision coverage until the car is paid off.
What’s the Cost Difference?
Liability insurance is usually the cheapest option. It meets the legal requirements but doesn’t give you much protection for your own vehicle. Comprehensive coverage costs more, but it can save you money in the long run if your car gets damaged or stolen.
Let Us Help You Decide
As your MAIF auto insurance provider in Bowie, MD, we help drivers across the state find the coverage that fits their budget and lifestyle. Whether you want basic liability or full coverage with comprehensive protection, we can walk you through your options and explain what’s best for you.
Give us a call at 301-842-6002. You can also get a free quote online.