Auto insurance is required in almost every state. But this doesn’t mean you should have car insurance just because it’s the law. No — you should have car insurance because every time you get in a car at your risk to cause very expensive damage. How would you cover this risk without insurance?

Most people have one strategy when choosing car insurance — they get the lowest, most basic policy they can. This is not how you should go about choosing car insurance. Instead you need to look at the likelihood of you getting an accident, and how it will affect your life and the lives of others around you.

So first thing you need to do, when deciding on an automobile insurance policy, is to look at what kind of driver you are. If you work a lot of hours, and because of it you drive tired often or drive fast to get from one place to another, you are at a higher risk to get in an accident. Thus, it would be wise to consider getting additional coverage. Also, you should look at the kind of vehicle you are driving. What is its safety rating? If you’re in a vehicle that is more likely to be involved in a crash, this is another indicator should go beyond just the basic policy. Finally, are you single or do you have a family? Getting in a crash and not being able to afford the claim will not only put you out, but it will put out your loved ones as well. They should also be considered when you’re choosing your auto insurance rates.