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Standard Auto Coverage Explained

Standard auto coverage is the baseline liability insurance most states require to legally drive: bodily injury and property damage coverage that pays for harm you cause to others.

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What Is Standard Auto Coverage Insurance?

Standard auto coverage is liability insurance that meets your state's minimum legal requirements. It includes bodily injury liability, which pays medical bills and lost wages when you injure someone in an accident you caused, and property damage liability, which pays to repair or replace someone else's vehicle or property. Standard coverage does not pay for damage to your own car, your own medical bills, or losses from theft or weather.

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Who Needs Standard Auto Coverage Insurance?

You need standard auto coverage if you drive any vehicle, period. Every state except New Hampshire requires proof of financial responsibility, and standard liability coverage is how you satisfy that requirement. After a fines-cause suspension, you must show proof of insurance to reinstate your license, even if SR-22 filing isn't required.

If you drive or plan to drive within 90 days, buy standard coverage now to avoid a lapse gap on your record. If you have unpaid fines and a suspended license, focus on resolving the debt first, then purchase coverage the day before you pay your reinstatement fee so you can show proof immediately.

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