Auto or car insurance coverage has two parts. The first is the liability section of the policy. It covers your financial responsibility for injuring others. Liability coverage is required by law in most states.

The second part of auto insurance covers your car itself: comprehensive coverage reimburses losses from fire, theft, or other perils; collision coverage pays to repair losses caused by an accident. Often this coverage is mandated by leasing companies or banks. There are also ancillary medical, car rental, and other coverages which vary by state.