Terms and definitions to help you better understand your automobile policy.

Additional Expense
Pays you for necessary additional expenses incurred as a result of a loss for which you are protected under comprehensive or collision coverages. These include rental cars, food, lodging and other incidental expenses. NOTE: This coverage may differ somewhat between companies. Please refer to your policy declaration and definitions for a full explanation of the coverage provided under your policy.

Bodily Injury Liability
Pays for damages that involve bodily injury to others for which you become responsible under law.

Collision
Pays for collision damage to your automobile and its equipment. There are several collision types and deductible options available to you.

In Michigan you have a choice of three different collision coverages.

Limited Collision - pays for damage to your vehicle only if the driver of your vehicle is not more than 50% at fault.

Regular Collision (often referred to as Standard or Basic collision) - pays for damage to your vehicle regardless of fault, subject to the deductible chosen.

Broad Collision - pays for damage to your vehicle regardless of fault. If you are not more than 50% at fault, the deductible is waived.

Comprehensive
Pays for loss of, or damage to your vehicle and its equipment from all causes (unless excluded by your policy) except collision. Examples are: fire, theft, windstorm, glass breakage, vandalism.

Personal Injury Protection
Pays for injuries to you and your family members regardless of who is at fault. It may also pay for the income you lose as a result of your injuries and for the financial support your dependents require should you die from your injuries.

Road Trouble Service
Pays you up to the policy limit for expenses incurred if your automobile fails to operate. NOTE: This coverage may differ somewhat between companies. Refer to your policy declarations for a full explanation of your coverage.

Special Tort Liability
If you are involved in an accident in which you are considered more than 50% at fault, this coverage protects you for up to $400 toward another driver's collision deductible-or if they do not insure for collision coverage, up to $400 in damages.

State Mandated Insurance Limits
The minimum amount of liability insurance coverage allowed in the State of Michigan to pay for any damage done as a result of an accident caused by a person while driving an automobile.

Umbrella Liability Insurance
Additional liability coverage issued as a separate insurance policy that is used to increase the coverage limits of the primary liability insurance policy for auto and homeowners. This coverage would not be used until the liability limits of the primary policy are exhausted.

Uninsured and Underinsured
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage will pay all sums for which you are legally entitled to recover as damages up to the UM limit of your policy.

Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage will pay the difference between your actual damages for bodily injury and the amount of liability insurance provided by the policy of the at-fault operator, subject to the UIM limit of your policy.

With the advent of No-fault companies are no longer required to offer this coverage. Please click here for a message from Citizens Insurance Company of America regarding whether or not this coverage may be right for you.