If you’re trying to find the cheapest possible car insurance coverage, you may have come across broad form auto insurance policies. In many states, a broad form insurance policy does not meet minimum coverage requirements. This article will explain what broad form insurance is and help you decide if it’s the right coverage for you.
If you’re shopping for auto insurance, check out our article about the best car insurance companies on the market and request a free quote using our easy quote tool. You can also call (844) 246-8209 seven days a week for free quotes.
What Is Broad Form Insurance?
Broad form insurance is a kind of liability insurance that only covers one individual. It is only suitable for drivers who know that no one else will ever drive their car, as broad form insurance does not cover anyone else who operates the car. Broad form insurance is also unique, as it extends to any car the policyholder operates, meaning you pay the same amount no matter how many vehicles you own.
Broad form coverage only covers your personal vehicle or vehicles. It does not cover commercial vehicles, company cars, or motorcycles.
As with liability coverage, broad form insurance will not cover damages to your own vehicle. It goes into effect when you are at fault in an accident. In that case, it would pay for the other driver’s repairs and medical expenses.
The following would not be covered under a broad form insurance policy:
- Damages to your own vehicle
- Your own medical payments
- Liability payments if someone else is driving your car and gets into an accident
Broad form insurance coverage does not meet the minimum insurance coverage requirements for most states and is only available in:
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Tennessee
- Washington
Do not confuse broad form insurance with “broad collision coverage,” which is an expensive and comprehensive form of collision coverage that requires you to pay nothing (not even a deductible) if you are less than 50 percent at fault.
Pros And Cons Of Broad Form Insurance
We don’t recommend broad form insurance for most drivers. But if you are wealthy enough to pay out-of-pocket to replace your vehicle, then it may be worth it.
Insurance is generally not worth it in the long term if you know you can afford replacement costs yourself. The risk-reward assessment will always be in the insurance company’s favor – that’s part of how these companies make money. The only reason to buy insurance (besides that it is required by law) is to protect yourself from financial ruin.
Over the course of your lifetime, chances are you will end up paying more in insurance premiums and deductibles than your insurance company will pay you. So if you can afford not to have insurance, it makes sense to purchase minimum state coverage requirements. If that’s the case, broad form insurance can be a good idea.
When you only have broad form insurance, never let someone else drive your car. If your friend gets into an accident and does not have some kind of liability coverage, they are exposed to a potentially massive lawsuit. If you’re considering broad form coverage to lower your premiums, talk it over with your insurance agent and consider other insurance options.
Top Auto Insurance Companies
If broad form insurance isn’t for you, you should purchase traditional car insurance coverage. Liability insurance will help you meet state requirements, but it won’t help you repair your vehicle if you get in a wreck and are at fault. If you’re trying to find the cheapest comprehensive or collision coverage, use our tool below or call (844) 246-8209 to compare auto insurance quotes.
The top auto insurers don’t usually offer broad form insurance, because they aren’t usually good policies. When we rank insurance companies, we consider claims servicing, customer satisfaction, and coverage breadth. Because they excel in all these categories, we recommend USAA and Geico as top providers.
USAA: Best For Military
USAA car insurance is only available to military members and their immediate family members. However, if you have access to it, USAA is an easy pick for car insurance. Not only does USAA have some of the lowest prices – including big discounts for active military personnel – but it receives high customer satisfaction marks.
We give USAA 4.8 stars out of 5.0, and it is our highest-rated provider for a reason. J.D. Power gives USAA top marks for claims servicing, and AM Best gives the auto insurance company an A++ financial strength rating.
Read more in our USAA auto insurance review.
Geico: Best Overall
Not everyone can get USAA car insurance. Geico auto insurance is a good alternative for those who can’t. Geico offers full coverage at competitive prices. It also sells add-ons like rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, and mechanical breakdown insurance.
Geico has an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ and a Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating of A+. Geico’s insurance apps make customer service quick and easy, with apps for claims filing and roadside assistance. You can even track your driving with the DriveEasy app, which can lower your premiums.
Read more in our Geico auto insurance review.
FAQ About Broad Form Insurance
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Insurers with strong financial ratings and customer-first business practices receive the highest scores in this category.
- Availability: We consider availability by state as well as exclusions for specific groups of drivers.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Cost and Discounts: Our research team reviews auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services for a variety of drivers in every state. Companies with lower prices and many car insurance discount opportunities receive the best scores.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and consumer feedback studies from experts like J.D. Power.
- Technology: Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs.