Personal Auto Insurance
Parts of the policy
Part A – Liability pays damages the insured becomes legally liable for. Part B – Medical Payments pays reasonable medical expenses for the insured and passengers regardless of fault. Part C – Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists responds when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little; South Carolina requires the insurer to offer UM/UIM, and a rejection must be made in writing. Part D – Coverage for Damage to Your Auto provides collision and other-than-collision coverage.
What is covered
Your covered auto includes listed vehicles and newly acquired autos (broad automatic coverage for a replacement, narrower for an addition), plus trailers. A temporary substitute and a non-owned auto are covered while used with permission. Liability follows the vehicle; medical payments follow the person.
Exclusions to memorize
Intentional acts, racing, using a vehicle as a public livery, carrying persons or property for a fee, vehicles with fewer than four wheels, and business use of a pickup or van (endorsement available). Part D pays actual cash value or the limit, less any deductible, and the insurer may elect to repair or replace.
Conditions
Prompt notice, cooperation, proof of loss, examination under oath, and inspection. Split limits such as South Carolina's 25/50/25 apply per person, per accident, and for property damage; a combined single limit applies one number to all damages.
Traps
Assuming medical payments pays the insured's liability; believing UM/UIM is optional without a written rejection; misreading newly acquired auto rules.
Rule of thumb
With 25/50/25 limits and two claimants each owed $40,000, each collects at most $25,000, exactly exhausting the $50,000 per-accident limit - the per-accident cap governs.