Required car insurance in Vermont
Vermont requires two main forms of auto insurance: Liability and uninsured & underinsured motorist coverage. There are also types of auto insurance not required but that you might want. Let's look at what's available in Vermont so you can make picks that are right for you.
Minimum liability insurance in Vermont
Liability insurance pays others if you cause an accident. The problem with buying only what the state requires is that you can be sued for accident bills if you don't have enough insurance. That's why it's smart to consider having higher coverage limits than what Vermont requires. You must have liability limits of:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person.
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident.
- $10,000 property damage per accident.
You'll see this written as 25/50/10.
Minimum uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage:
Vermont also requires UM/UIM and UMPD insurance. These pay for your injuries and/or property damage if you're hit by a driver who has no liability insurance or not enough. For example, if your car is dented by a driver without insurance, you could make a claim on your UMPD coverage. The minimums in Vermont are:
- UM/UIM coverage of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accidents for injuries.
- UMPD coverage of $10,000 for property damage.
- If you make a UMPD claim there's a deductible of $150 in Vermont. That means any UMPD insurance check will be reduced by $150. So if you have a broken tail light that will cost $140 to fix, there's no insurance check.
Optional insurance in Vermont
Medical payments (MedPay) coverage: For medical bills and funeral expenses for anyone driving or riding in your car, no matter who is at fault.
Comprehensive coverage: For theft of your vehicle or damage caused by hitting an animal, hail, flood, fire, vandalism, falling objects and explosions. If you have a car loan or lease you're probably required to have this by the lender or leasing company.
Collision coverage: For damage to your vehicle caused by hitting another vehicle or an object, like a sign post or building. If you have a car loan or lease you're probably required to have this by the lender or leasing company.
Rental reimbursement: Pays for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired for accident damage. It usually has a daily maximum for the car rental and also a total limit.
You must show an insurance ID card (or other proof of financial responsibility) if:
- Law enforcement requests it.
Penalty for not having car insurance in Vermont
- Fine of not more than $500 and suspension of your driver's license until you provide proof of security.
Source: Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
Auto insurance company complaints
Each state's department of insurance handles and tracks complaints against insurers. A national "complaint ratio" uses state complaint data to show the number of complaints in relation to an insurer's size of business. Shown below are the ratios for the largest auto insurance companies in Vermont.
Updated Aug. 15, 2018
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