What is broad form car insurance?

Are you facing high car insurance premiums? If so, you might be wondering if broad form car insurance is as good as it seems.

With some of the lowest monthly car insurance payments available, broad form auto insurance tempts many drivers. But as with most things, you get what you pay for. The low premiums mean little coverage for you and your vehicle.

So what is broad form insurance? Broad form car insurance can be a good fit for some drivers. This guide will walk you through what broad form car insurance covers, how much it costs, and whether it could be a good fit for you.

Enter your ZIP code now to compare broad form car insurance quotes near you for free.

What is a broad form auto insurance policy?

Broad form car insurance is a minimum coverage policy that covers basic liability for a single driver. Because broad form coverage is so minimal, it only meets minimum car insurance requirements in 11 states.

Broad form auto insurance has limited coverage for your vehicles. General broad form insurance enhances certain types of insurance to cover rare situations for assets you want to insure.

Depending on where you live, you may see broad form car insurance referred to as a broad form named operator or broad form named driver policy.

What does broad form car insurance cover?

Although “broad form” sounds like you’ll get expansive coverage, the opposite is true.

Broad form car insurance offers limited liability coverage for a single driver. It won’t cover personal injury, bodily injury to your passengers, or damage to your vehicle if you get in an accident.

Instead, broad form auto insurance policies only cover liability for a single driver. If you get into an accident, broad form insurance will help pay for bodily injury and property damage to the other driver and vehicle only..

In most cases, you can’t add other types of insurance to a broad form policy. Adding more coverage types will override your broad form auto insurance policy.

How much does broad form car insurance cost?

Broad form car insurance policies attract many drivers because of their lower premium costs. By now, you know this lower-cost means significantly limited coverage for you and your car.

Before purchasing a policy, research and compare broad form auto insurance quotes to prices of more extensive policies. You want to ensure you’re getting the most coverage for the best cost.

Broad form car insurance costs differ from state to state, but you can expect to pay less than half of what you would pay for comprehensive and collision coverage in the same state.

Although the monthly premium costs are significantly lower with a broad form auto insurance policy, remember that you’ll be paying out of pocket for any injuries or damages to your car if you are in an accident.

Where can I get broad form auto insurance?

Because broad form car insurance is so limited, it only meets the minimum coverage requirements in 11 states.

You can get a broad form auto insurance policy in these states:

• Colorado
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Maryland
• Mississippi
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• Ohio
• Tennessee
• Washington

If you live in one of these states, keep in mind that not all insurance agencies will offer broad form car insurance policies. You might need to shop around if you’re committed to this type of plan. Who offers broad form insurance will change depending on where you live.

If you live in one of the states that doesn’t offer broad form coverage, liability-only car insurance may help you keep costs low while meeting the minimum legal requirements where you live.

Should I get broad form car insurance?

Broad form car insurance can be a valuable and affordable policy for certain drivers. Still, it can also be a burden since you’re responsible for your own damages if you get into an accident.

Carefully consider your driving and vehicle situation before committing to a broad form policy. Broad form car insurance might be a good fit for you if you are in one or more of these situations:

• Own an inexpensive car
• Almost always drive alone
• Drive multiple cars
• Don’t own your car

You should not get broad form car insurance if you won’t be able to afford vehicle repairs or if someone else will need to drive your car. Broad form auto coverage only covers your liability costs if the named driver is operating the vehicle.

Other Common Types of Car Insurance

Thinking broad form auto insurance might be too little for your coverage needs? Take a look at this list of other types of car insurance to see what insurance might be a better fit for you:

• Liability-Only. In states where broad form car insurance isn’t available, you may be able to find a liability-only policy to meet your minimum requirements. Similar to a broad form policy, liability-only will cover damages to other drivers and vehicles only.
• Comprehensive. This insurance covers non-accident-related events, such as theft or weather damage.
• Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car after an accident, even if you are at fault.
• Personal injury protection (PIP). In the same way collision coverage takes care of property damage after an accident, PIP insurance covers medical expenses for you and your passengers.

You can also add extra insurance to cover rental car expenses, damages from uninsured drivers, and more.

Be sure to compare coverage and quotes for broad form car insurance and other policies to make sure you’re getting the right coverage at the best cost for you.

Is broad form car insurance right for you?

If you’re considering broad form auto insurance, carefully weigh its pros and cons. The lower cost is certainly attractive, but bear in mind the increased financial burden you’ll have if you get into an accident.

Get a broad form insurance quote to research and purchase a policy. Be sure you understand and closely follow the rules governing this type of auto insurance. You can get a broad form insurance online or through an agent working with a company that sells this type of insurance.

Enter your ZIP code now to compare broad form car insurance rates from multiple companies near you for free.