Free to read. No paid listings. Not advice. How we make money
Updated October 27, 2026
What each coverage pays for, how to read the limits, and why the same driver gets different prices from different insurers.
EverQuote's example levels, read Oct 2, 2026. See source
| If you are asking | Start with | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Car paid off and worth little? | Weigh collision and comprehensive against its value | The coverages |
| Own a home or savings? | Higher liability protects more of what you own | Coverage levels |
| Live in a no-fault state? | PIP may be required; check your state | PIP and MedPay |
| Price feels high? | Compare the same cover across carriers | Quote sites |
Liability pays others for accidents you cause, including injuries and property damage. It is required in most states and does not pay for damage to your own car1.
Collision pays for damage to your car when you hit something, such as a pole or tree. Comprehensive pays if the car is stolen, or damaged by an animal, flood, fire, hail, vandalism or falling objects1.
Uninsured motorist (UM) pays your medical bills if a driver with no liability insurance injures you; some states also sell a version for car damage. Personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments (MedPay) pay for injuries to you and your passengers whoever is at fault; some states require PIP, sometimes called no-fault insurance1.
Why prices differ. Insurers weigh market changes and factors such as your age and driving history differently, so a different carrier may charge less for the same coverage2.
Liability limits are often written as three numbers. The first two are bodily injury limits, per person and per accident; the third is property damage. In the Insurance Information Institute's example, 20/40/10 means up to $40,000 for everyone injured in an accident, no more than $20,000 for any one person, and $10,000 for property damage3.
State law sets a minimum, and the minimum differs by state. Check your state insurance department's page for the current figures; we do not publish a state table because the only one we could reach today was out of date.
EverQuote's published examples. Needs depend on how much you would have at risk in a lawsuit.
| Level | Bodily injury liability | Property damage liability | Uninsured/underinsured motorist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher1 | $250,000 per person / $500,000 per accident | $100,000 | $250,000 / $500,000 |
| Typical1 | $100,000 / $300,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 / $300,000 |
| Lower1 | $50,000 / $100,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 / $100,000 |
| Source | EverQuote coverage levelsRead Oct 2, 2026 | EverQuote coverage levelsRead Oct 2, 2026 | EverQuote coverage levelsRead Oct 2, 2026 |
Examples, not a recommendation.
Both are quote marketplaces: after you submit their form, agents and insurers may contact you4.
Good for seeing local agents' and insurers' quotes from one form
Also on EverQuote's site
Good for one form compared across several carriers
Also on SmartFinancial's site
No. Liability pays others when you cause an accident. Collision and comprehensive cover your own car1.
Personal injury protection pays for injuries to you and your passengers whoever is at fault. Some states require it1.
On your state insurance department's site. We do not publish a state table because the only one we could reach was out of date.
CoverPlainly is also not an insurance agent, does not sell insurance or collect your details, and does not cover Medicare. Nothing here is insurance advice.
Prices, coverage and terms belong to each company and can change. The company's own page and your policy are the final word; the insurer decides every application.
