Cottonwood Heights Car Insurance

(Car insurance is required. Paying too much for it is not.)

Written by Meg Stefanac
Written by Meg Stefanac

Financial blogger and business owner, Meg Stefanac, has more than 15 years experience working in the financial services industry and enjoys helping individuals make solid financial decisions. Meg has extensive experience writing about insurance and finances and is a key contributor to TrustedChoice.com.

Reviewer: Jeffrey Green Reviewed by Jeffrey Green
Reviewer: Jeffrey Green
Reviewed by Jeffrey Green

Jeff Green has held a variety of sales and management roles at life insurance companies, Wall street firms, and distribution organizations over his 40-year career.  He was previously Finra 7,24,66 registered and held life insurance licenses in multiple states. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University.

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Even the most careful drivers can sometimes get into accidents. That is why vehicle owners in Cottonwood Heights are required to have car insurance. From fender benders on Fort Union Boulevard to multi-car collisions on Interstate 215, a solid auto insurance policy can save you from large financial losses.

Shopping for car insurance is easy when you work with an independent agent. These local agents can help you obtain and compare customized car insurance quotes so you can be sure you are getting the coverage you need at a great price. Find an insurance agent near you to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Cottonwood Heights, UT?

The average cost of car insurance in Utah is lower than the national average. This is great news for Cottonwood Heights residents who are looking for an affordable policy.

  • National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
  • Utah average annual car insurance cost: $1,059

Of course, these average rates can only give you an estimate of what you might be expected to pay. Actual car insurance costs can vary significantly from one driver to the next because they are based on several factors such as:

  • The make, model, and year of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
  • Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving record
  • Details about the other licensed drivers in your household
  • Your claims history and credit score
  • Whether you own or rent your home
  • The amount of coverage you are purchasing
  • The amount of your deductible

You can often get rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies such as home insurance or renters insurance. Contact an independent agent in Cottonwood Heights to learn more about this and any other discounts for which you may qualify.

What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Utah?

When it comes to auto insurance, every state has its own minimum coverage requirements. In Utah, all car insurance policies must include:

  • Liability insurance: This covers other people’s damage and injuries if you cause a collision. Utah is a no-fault state, so the injured person’s own policy’s personal injury protection insurance will offer the first line of coverage for medical bills.
  • Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance: This covers injuries you or members of your household may sustain if you are in a vehicle accident, regardless of fault.

Utah requires your car insurance to include, at a minimum, the following amounts of coverage:

  • Bodily injury liability insurance: $25,000 per person/$65,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability insurance: $15,000 per accident
  • Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance: $3,000 per accident

Many Cottonwood Heights drivers have a lot to lose. That is why they opt to purchase car insurance that has higher-than-required liability limits. Some residents of this city also purchase umbrella insurance in order to get even more liability coverage than their policy will allow.

A local insurance agent can help you find the liability and personal injury protection coverage you want at a price you can afford.

What Else Can Cottonwood Heights Car Insurance Cover?

In addition to the mandatory liability coverage mentioned above, your car insurance provider will also offer a variety of coverage options that you may want to include in your Cottonwood Heights auto insurance policy. These options include:

  • Collision insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, even if the accident was your fault. This coverage is typically required by lenders if you are still paying for your vehicle and by dealerships if you have your car on a lease.
  • Comprehensive insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled due to a non-collision event like a falling object or vandalism. This coverage is also typically required if you are still paying for your vehicle or are leasing it.
  • Uninsured motorist insurance: This provides coverage for damage and medical bills that exceed what your PIP will cover if you are in an accident that was caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver.
  • Roadside assistance and towing: This covers the costs of assistance if your car becomes disabled while you are on the road, such as if you get a flat tire or run out of gas.
  • Gap insurance: This covers the gap between what your car is worth and what you currently owe for it if it is totaled. New cars can depreciate quickly, so this coverage may be necessary for the first few years of new vehicle ownership.
  • Rental car reimbursement: This covers the cost of renting a vehicle while your car is being repaired following a covered event.

Talk to a local independent insurance agent for help determining which, if any, of these coverage options is a good fit for you.

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Why Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance So Important?

Driving without insurance in Utah is considered a Class B misdemeanor. Penalties for driving an uninsured vehicle can include:

  • A fine ranging from $400 to $1,000.
  • The suspension of your driver’s license until you can show proof of insurance and pay a reinstatement fee, currently set at $225.

Despite these penalties, some people choose to illegally drive uninsured vehicles anyway.

  • Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 12.6%
  • Percentage of Utah drivers who are uninsured: 8.2%

If you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, that person is responsible for compensating you and your passengers for resultant damage and necessary medical treatment that go above what your PIP insurance covers. However, this money can often be difficult to collect.

Uninsured motorist insurance was created to ensure that you receive timely compensation without the need to take legal action against the at-fault driver. After compensating you, your insurance company will attempt to collect the money owed from the at-fault driver and will absorb the losses if unsuccessful.

Does Cottonwood Heights Car Insurance Cover against Auto Theft?

The auto theft rate in Utah is higher than the national rate, but in Cottonwood Heights, the risk is much lower. This is not to say that auto theft does not exist in this city. Residents of Cottonwood Heights report about 45 vehicle thefts a year. 

  • National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.29
  • Utah auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.45
  • Cottonwood Heights auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 1.35

It is important that you are aware that you can only get compensation for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive (or “other than collision”) coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers against more than just auto theft. It can also reimburse you for repair costs related to non-collision events such as if a tree falls on your vehicle, or it is damaged in a flood, garage fire, or hailstorm.  

If you are still paying for your car, chances are good you already have comprehensive insurance. If not, you can talk to a local independent agent to find out how much it will cost you to include this optional coverage in your Cottonwood Heights car insurance policy.

Why Let an Independent Insurance Agent in Cottonwood Heights, UT Help You?

You can ask a local independent agent for assistance when you are looking for the best auto insurance policy to meet your coverage and budgetary needs. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company, so they can shop around to find you the coverage you want at a price you can afford.

Contact an insurance agent in or near Cottonwood Heights to get answers to your insurance-related questions and to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.

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https://dmv.utah.gov/register/insurance
http://www.naic.org/prod_serv/AUT-PB-14.pdf
https://www.city-data.com/city/Cottonwood-Heights-Utah.html