Financial

Guide to insurance: Car insurance

Marcus Bellamy · Certified Financial Educator (CFE) · Personal Finance Coach
4 min read

Fact-checked: Reviewed by Captain Cash Editorial Team, Captain Cash editorial team.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Loan approval is subject to eligibility. APR 23%. Borrow responsibly.

A car crash can be incredibly devastating. The person may end up with a car that is no longer driveable and in the hospital recovering from their injuries. If they are the cause of the accident, they may be responsible for the other driver’s injuries as well if there was more than one car involved in the accident.

 

To help a person cover their own injuries and the injuries of the person in the car they hit, the person should have car insurance they can use. Check out this Guide to insurance: Car insurance to learn more about car insurance so you can ensure you have the right coverage.

 

Know About the Different Types of Coverage

 

There are five main types of coverage though there are other specialty types of coverage like gap insurance for those who lease a vehicle.

 

  • Liability Insurance – This insurance covers the driver of the car in the event they are in an accident they caused. It will cover any property damage and medical bills that result from the accident.
  • Collision Coverage – This is usually required for those who have financed their vehicle. It covers repairs to the vehicle in the event of an accident to return the vehicle to its pre-accident condition.
  • Comprehensive Coverage – This type of insurance is recommended as it covers anything that could happen to the vehicle other than an accident, such as weather damage, theft, and hitting a large animal like a deer.
  • Personal Injury Protection – Where this is available, it helps the person cover all of the medical bills for themselves and their passengers no matter who is at fault for the accident.
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection – When the driver who causes the accident is not insured or their insurance won’t fully cover the accident, a person will this coverage will be able to receive the rest of the money needed to cover applicable damages.

 

It’s important to know the minimum laws for the state the person resides in to ensure they are fully compliant with the law, but it’s a good idea to purchase as much coverage as possible over the minimums to ensure they are covered for any incidents.

 

Understand Insurance Deductibles and Their Effect on Premiums

 

When a person looks at the policies that might be available, there are a few different things they should check. On top of checking the coverage that is included in the policy, they should check the amount of the deductible.

 

Most of the time, the person has the option of raising their deductible. If they can afford a higher deductible, this is a good idea as it can help them save up to 30% off the insurance premiums. It’s a good idea to ensure they have the amount for the deductible in savings to ensure they can cover it if they do decide to raise it.

 

Check Out Discounts that May Be Available

 

A person will want to check out any discounts that might be available to them so they can get as much coverage as possible without going over their budget. Some companies offer discounts based on a person’s age, driving record, employer, location, distance driven on average, the number of vehicles on the policy and more. A person can ask the company they’re considering to find out what discounts are available and help to determine which ones they will be eligible for.

 

By following the advice above, a person can thoroughly research their insurance options and ensure they have the right vehicle insurance for their needs. Taking the time to thoroughly check the potential policies can help them save quite a bit of money and help ensure they are fully covered in case an accident does occur.

Marcus Bellamy
Marcus Bellamy
Certified Financial Educator (CFE) · Personal Finance Coach
Marcus Bellamy is a Certified Financial Educator (CFE) with over 11 years of experience helping Canadians navigate short-term borrowing, debt management, and personal budgeting. He has coached more than 2,400 clients across Ontario, British Columbia, and Atlantic Canada, with a focus on practical strategies for people living paycheck to paycheck. Marcus began his career as a credit counsellor at a non-profit financial literacy organization before transitioning to independent coaching in 2016. His work has been cited in personal finance guides distributed through community credit unions across Canada. At Captain Cash, Marcus reviews and contributes content on responsible borrowing, loan repayment planning, and building financial resilience. All articles he authors are reviewed for factual accuracy against current Canadian lending regulations and APR disclosure standards.