Personal Automobile Policy
The six parts
Part A - Liability (bodily injury and property damage to others). Part B - Medical Payments (insured's own medical bills, regardless of fault, subject to a per-person limit). Part C - Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists. Part D - Coverage for Damage to Your Auto (collision and other-than-collision, each with its own deductible). Part E - Duties After an Accident. Part F - General Provisions (territory, termination, transfer).
Who and what is covered
Insureds include the named insured and resident relatives, anyone using the covered auto with permission, and passengers. Newly acquired autos get automatic coverage for a short window (typically 14 days for a replacement vehicle; the insured must request coverage and pay premium for an added vehicle). A temporary substitute vehicle is covered when the covered auto is out of service.
Virginia specifics
Minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident bodily injury and $20,000 property damage. Virginia requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at limits equal to the liability limits unless the named insured rejects in writing or selects lower limits (down to the minimums). Virginia has no no-fault law and no PIP - medical payments is optional. Virginia also permits a $500 uninsured motorist fee in lieu of purchasing insurance. The state follows pure contributory negligence.
Traps
- MedPay and PIP are not the same thing; Virginia does not mandate PIP.
- UM/UIM must be offered; rejection must be documented.
- Exclusions commonly tested: intentional acts, using a vehicle for hire, racing, and vehicle use in a business other than farming or a private passenger auto business.
Rule of thumb: Part A pays the other person; Part B pays you and your passengers; Part C pays when the other driver cannot.