My automobile insurance agent keeps selling me all sorts of coverage. He is so persistent that he’s starting to get on my nerves. Besides, he uses so many terms I don’t get at all. Now, I don’t know which part of his talk I should believe in and whether or not I should get more coverage than the state requires. Can you explain to me the types of automobile insurance coverage in New Jersey?

Cary

Jersey City, NJ

Well, there are state requirements, and there are add-ons. I, by the way, know how you feel about those agents. But what can I say? We’d probably do the same if we had the same job. Here is (I hope) a simplified version of their sales pitch. The State of New Jersey requires Bodily Injury Liability, so that if you inadvertently hurt another person on the road, you can take responsibility. The limit is $15,000 for that injured person and $30,000 for each accident. Property Damage Liability has a minimum of I think $5,000. An automobile insurance agent would refer to this as 15/30/5. What they call UM or uninsured motorist coverage is for your protection against those who are so irresponsible as to drive without proper automobile insurance. The limits for UM Bodily Injury and Property Damage are $15,000 and $30,000 respectively. Personal Injury Protection, as the term suggests, will save you from having to pay exorbitant medical bills for injuries you sustain in an accident. This is not a state requirement, but it is most helpful as far as I’m concerned. Certainly, it won’t cover everything (the automobile insurance company will decide how much is reasonable), but it will bring down the costs. You can also get medical services from the health care providers they have already approved. It would end up being cheaper. This is the standard coverage, Cary. Now go shopping!