Let's size your cover to what you could actually lose

How we decide

Liability cover pays other people when you cause a crash, and it's the part that protects what you own. We match the limit to what you'd stand to lose. For most people that means at least 100/300/100, the level consumer groups commonly recommend. Higher savings or income call for higher limits and, past a point, an umbrella policy, which is far cheaper per dollar of cover than raising auto limits.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist cover protects you from other drivers' thin cover, so we match it to your own liability limits. Collision and comprehensive are about your own car: worth keeping while the car is worth more than a few years of premiums, required while it's financed.

The bands are our own reading of that guidance: 50/100/50 only when savings and income are both low, 100/300/100 by default, 250/500/250 once savings plus income pass about $300,000, and an umbrella from $500,000 in savings or $200,000 in income. We suggest a $1,000 deductible only if a $1,000 bill would be easy to pay, and $500 otherwise. None of it ever goes below your state's minimum.

This is general guidance, not advice for your exact situation. An independent agent can price the options side by side.