Do you know the value of an auto insurance broker? Many people go shopping for auto insurance on their own, which can be a big mistake. Thousands of people are under insured and don't even know they are. Or you could be paying much more than you need to on insurance.

Do you know what the minimal requirements are for your state? Many states have different requirements, so if you move from one state to another, your previous coverage might not be enough. Without having this minimal insurance, you could face heavy fines or even lose your license.

The minimal requirements your state requires you to have also might not be enough to cover any damages to your car. If you were ever in an accident, would your insurance replace your car? Would it pay for damages? How about medical bills?

Auto insurance is important to think about. If you should ever have an accident, you might not be able to continue working. You might lose the vehicle and the other driver might not have the insurance to cover you. Are you willing to risk everything? Are you positive your insurance will cover it all?

After an accident is not the time to be thinking about insurance, but looking through all the different insurance options can be confusing at best. Where can you go to get the information you need to get the insurance that's right for you, not just for the insurance companies?

This is where an auto insurance broker comes in. An insurance broker can go through insurance polices with you and help you to select the best insurance for you. Their goal is to set you up with what you need.

There are many misunderstandings about auto insurance brokers. For starters, you don't pay them to help you. They get a commission no matter which package you chose from them, so having you pick one package over another isn't so much of a priority.

Do You Know Insurance?

Here are a few types of insurances your policy might or might not cover now.

Fully Comprehensive Auto Insurance For Your Car

This type of insurance, the fully comprehensive auto insurance, is probably the most expensive type you will be offered. If your car is financed by a bank or finance company, you need this insurance.

Fully comprehensive auto insurance insures the car and the owner against any number of events. These include accident and theft. The benefit is that it doesn't matter who is at fault, you're still covered in case your car is in an accident or stolen. If the other driver doesn't have insurance or is under insured you'll still be able to make a claim.

Did you know that insurance policies don't cover 100% of the car? This is especially true for brand new cars. They might insure 80% of the car's total value, maybe even less. This helps insure that fraud is prevented on their side, but might leave you paying out if you're ever in an accident of some sort. Do you know how much your insurance covers?

Third Party, Fire & Theft Insurance

Let's say you've already paid off your car loan. You own a car clean and clear. You may need to still have third party, fire and theft auto insurance. This is especially true if you still retain some form of intrinsic value on your car.

While this type of insurance might be less expensive, the only problem is that you are only covered when an accident occurs with a third party. Which means if you damage your own car, hitting a tree or the such, you'd have to pay for the damages. Also, if you aren't at fault in the accident, your insurance likely won't pay for your insurance, as it doesn't usually cover you if the third party doesn't have insurance.

Separate Third Party Insurance Policy

This policy will cover you if you are at fault in an accident with a third party. This is one of the cheapest sort of auto insurance. Those car owners whose cars are very old or have no value to them will often choose this type of auto insurance.

There are other types of insurance you should be aware of and knowing how much of each type of insurance you will need can lead to even more questions. If you have questions, an auto insurance broker can help.

How the Process with an Auto Insurance Broker Works

It starts with you picking an auto insurance broker that will work with you. You can check the phone book or online to find out whom is local to your area. Ask questions from others on who they recommend.

Local insurance brokers generally get you the best deals for your area. They might know the national auto insurance providers, like Safe Auto, GEICO, or Progressive, but they might also know some local insurance providers, or smaller insurance companies that are just as good, and can be more helpful to you since they are more localized.

Your insurance broker will also be able to help you select which insurance is right for you and your vehicle. You'll save money and you'll get more for your dollar with coverage that will cover you correctly in case of an accident. This includes if the accident was your fault or someone else's.

The best part is, your insurance broker is working for you. They get their commission no matter what package you select, and in most cases you can get the options you want. Your broker will help you to understand those options so you can pick the ones you want.

So if you haven't worked with an insurance broker, it is about time to get someone on your side. Your broker is there to help you, answer your questions, and make sure you are safe on the road. Do a bit of research online for local auto insurance brokers.