What kind of insurance should you generally buy for a car?
3 Answers
After purchasing a vehicle, it is essential to buy third-party liability insurance, compulsory traffic insurance, and commercial insurance. The principles for purchasing insurance after buying a car are as follows: 1. Prioritize purchasing sufficient third-party liability insurance: When buying car insurance, the ability to compensate for others' losses should be the top priority; otherwise, you will be helpless in the event of an accident. Although the functions of third-party liability insurance and compulsory traffic insurance almost overlap, both are used to pay for the other party's medical or compensation expenses after the owner's car hits someone. However, currently, the protection capability of compulsory traffic insurance is limited and insufficient to handle major personal injury accidents, so it is generally advisable to also purchase third-party liability insurance. 2. The insurance amount for third-party liability insurance should refer to the compensation standards of the location: Compensation standards vary across different regions in the country. According to the highest standards for car insurance compensation calculation,
When I was buying a car, my head was spinning. A friend suggested sorting out third-party liability insurance first—it's mandatory and covers injuries to others or damage to their cars, so you can't hit the road without it. Then consider vehicle damage insurance, especially for new cars, as it reimburses repair costs in case of accidents, making the protection worthwhile for a new vehicle. I also added zero deductible coverage to avoid the hassle of small repair fees. Theft insurance depends on your situation—I skipped it since my parking spot has good security. It's wise to compare prices across companies and not blindly trust sales pitches. New drivers should learn gradually, and reducing coverage as the car ages saves money. For long-term driving, regularly reviewing policy changes helps adapt to your needs.
Years of driving experience have taught me that choosing the right insurance can save a lot. The basic package is sufficient: third-party liability insurance is the minimum, legally required to cover others' losses; I opt for mid-tier vehicle damage insurance to cover general accidents; and I always add the no-deductible coverage to avoid paying for minor repairs out of pocket. Theft insurance isn't necessary unless the car is new or you live in a high-theft area. Don't over-insure—reasonable spending is key. For example, with an older car, I reduced coverage and redirected the money to better tires, which was more practical. Driving habits are crucial; being cautious and reducing accident rates is better than any insurance. Reviewing and adjusting the policy during the annual vehicle inspection is timely enough.
