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Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage

The basic personal auto insurance mandated by most U.S. states provides some financial protection if you or another driver using your car causes an accident that damages someone else’s car or property, injures someone or both.

But to make the best decisions about purchasing other types of auto insurance coverage you might need, you will want to understand what’s covered, what’s not covered and what’s optional. In addition to understanding types of coverage, you will also want to consider coverage amounts.

Facts + Statistics: Auto theft

Key Facts

Facts + Statistics: Wildfires

Key Facts

  • According to federal data cited by the National Park Service, humans cause about 85 percent of all wildfires yearly in the United States.

Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage reimburses policyholders in an accident involving an uninsured, underinsured or hit-and-run driver. Twenty states and the District of Columbia have mandatory requirements for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. More than half of the states have passed laws and begun to develop and implement online auto insurance verification systems to identify uninsured motorists.

Facts + Statistics: Tornadoes and thunderstorms

Convective storms

Convective storms result from warm, moist air rising from the earth, and depending on atmospheric conditions, may develop into tornadoes, hail, thunderstorms with lightning, or straight-line winds. Convective storms are the most common and damaging natural catastrophes in the United States, according to Triple-I’s May 2020 white paper, Severe convective storms: Evolving risks call for innovation to reduce costs, drive resilience.

Facts + Statistics: Homeowners and renters insurance

Homeowners insurance premiums

The average homeowners insurance premium rose by 11.2 percent in 2022 from 2021, according to a May 2025 study by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the latest data available. The average renters insurance premium rose by 0.6 percent in 2022 breaking seven consecutive annual declines. 

Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance

Costs and expenditures

The countrywide average auto insurance expenditure increased 6.1 percent to $1,127 in 2022 from $1,062 in 2021, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. In 2022 (the latest data available), the average expenditure was highest in Florida ($1,625), followed by Louisiana ($1,558), and New York ($1,549).

What is covered by standard homeowners insurance?

Homeowners coverage provides financial protection against loss due to disasters, theft and accidents. Most standard policies include four essential types of coverage: coverage for the structure of your home; coverage for your personal belongings; liability protection; coverage for additional living expenses

12 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs

The cost of homeowners insurance can vary significantly, sometimes by hundreds of dollars, depending on your state’s insurance regulations, local risk exposure, the deductible you select, and the insurance company you choose. To ensure you get the right protection at a competitive price, consider the following factors when evaluating a homeowners policy.

What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?

Many factors can affect your auto insurance premium.