Uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage pays for your injuries and sometimes property damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance, or not enough. Some states require it; many do not. Even where it is optional, it is generally inexpensive relative to what it protects against — talk through your situation with a licensed agent before you opt out.

A deductible is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket when you file a covered claim, before your insurance starts paying. Higher deductibles usually mean lower monthly premiums, and lower deductibles mean higher premiums. Pick the deductible you can comfortably cover from savings without disrupting your life.

Collision pays for damage to your own vehicle from an accident with another vehicle or object (a tree, a guardrail). Comprehensive — sometimes called "other than collision" — pays for non-collision damage like theft, hail, fire, vandalism, or hitting an animal. They are usually sold together but do separate jobs.