What does car insurance NOT cover?

Intentional Damage is Excluded: Car insurance won't cover damage you cause on purpose.

Maintenance and Wear & Tear Aren't Covered: Routine upkeep and mechanical breakdowns aren't insurance issues.

Personal Belongings are Typically Excluded: Items stolen from your car may be covered by homeowner's or renter's insurance.

Commercial Use Requires Special Coverage: Rideshare, delivery, and other business driving need specific endorsements.

Policy Limits Apply: Insurance pays only up to your policy's limits, and some natural disasters or modifications may not be fully covered.

Alright, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to dissect the hilarious fine print of your car insurance policy – the stuff they don't put in the shiny brochures.

Intentional Damage? Nope! Think you can "accidentally" ram your ex's car because they "totally deserved it?" Insurance says, "Hold my deductible, you're on your own, buddy." They've got investigators, and trust me, they've seen it all. Plus, insurance fraud? That's a one-way ticket to super high insurance rates.

Wear and Tear? Ha! Your car's acting up? Making weird noises? Leaking mystery fluids? Insurance is like, "That's cute. Call a mechanic, not us." They cover accidents or theft, among other things but not normal wear and tear. They don't cover mechanical issues unless it was caused by a covered claim.

Laptops and Wallets? Adios! Your car's basically a rolling treasure chest for thieves? Think about the items in your car, sporting equipment, drones, and cell phones are just to name a few. Your insurance company is like, "Bless your heart, but that's what renter's or homeowner's insurance is for!" Plus, you can bundle it with your auto and save money! Click here for a quick renter's insurance quote. Bundle and save money.

Ubering or Delivering? Think your regular policy covers your side hustle as a pizza delivery ninja or a rideshare rockstar? Think again! They call that "commercial use," and it needs its own special endorsement. Ask your agent, to make sure you are covered.

Racing and Reckless Driving? You're kidding, right? If you're turning your daily commute into a "Fast & Furious" sequel, insurance is gonna tap out faster than a toddler at naptime. "High-risk activities" can cause the policy to be cancelled.

My insurance pays for all of the other party's damages? Those state minimums? $25,000/$50,000/$25,000? That's insurance speak for "We'll cover a light fender bender, maybe. But if you total a Lamborghini and send someone to the ER, prepare to sell your prized collection of Beanie Babies." Those numbers are how much your policy will pay out, per person, per accident, and for property damage. If you do more damage than that, you may be paying out of pocket.

Your insurance will only pay up to the limits specified in your policy. If damages exceed those limits, you'll be responsible for the remaining balance. 

South Carolina State Required Minimums:

$25,000 for bodily injury per person.

$50,000 for bodily injury per accident.

$25,000 for property damage.

Think of it like this: that's the bare minimum to keep you from getting a letter from the DMV and to be legal. But let's be real, is "bare minimum" ever enough? Especially when you're talking about protecting your precious ride and your even more precious self. And what about the other party in your at fault accident? Higher limits are recommended. Limits into the millions are available.

What exactly do those numbers $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 mean? Alright, let's decode those seemingly random numbers: $25,000/$50,000/$25,000. Essentially, that's your insurance company's way of saying, "We'll cover up to $25,000 (the 1st number) if you hurt one person, $50,000 (the second number) if you hurt a whole bunch of people in one go, and $25,000 (the last number) if you turn someone's shiny new pickup into a crumpled work of modern art." Think of it as a financial "oops" buffer, but one that might leave you saying "oh dear" if you really do some serious damage. In today's world of very expensive medical bills, and very expensive vehicles, these limits can be used up extremely quickly. If you don't have enough insurance to pay for the other party's damages, what happens next? Higher limits are recommended. Limits into the millions are available. 

Customizations? Extra, Extra, Read All About It! Your ride's decked out with spinners and a subwoofer that could shake the earth? Your standard policy might shrug and say, "We only cover stock, buddy." You'll need extra coverage for your bling.

The Moral of the Story? Read the Fine Print! Your insurance policy is like a legal love letter – full of promises, but also a bunch of "ifs" and "buts." So, read it, ask questions, and don't assume anything. And remember, when in doubt, call your insurance agent. They're there to help.