Message to Motorists: Don't Hope So, Know So

Allstate Survey: Many Drivers Are Unsure About What Their Auto Insurance Covers

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 1 -- Does your auto policy cover you if your laptop is stolen out of your car? How about if you leave your car running while you run into a store and it gets stolen? Or you hit a pothole and it causes the frame of your car to bend?

Of drivers surveyed, 64 percent believed their auto policy covers them if personal items are stolen from their car, when it fact that is covered under a homeowners or renters policy. Nearly one third of respondents thought they were covered if they left their car running and it was stolen. And, while 60 percent of drivers knew they would be covered if a pothole caused the frame of their car to bend, 40 percent thought it would be covered under comprehensive, when in fact, it would be a collision claim.

A new survey commissioned by Allstate Insurance Company entitled, "Don't Hope So, Know So," asked drivers a series of questions about which coverages they currently have, and if those coverages would protect them in various accident scenarios. The survey found that many were confused about the coverage they had, the type of insurance they carried, and how high their deductibles were. In fact, 92 percent of drivers who initially felt confident in their auto coverage had their confidence drop by 20 points after taking the survey.

"These survey results underscore the need for consumers to be better educated about their policies and what they mean," says Steve Sorenson, senior vice president of product operations for Allstate. "We hope these results will get people thinking about just how protected they are if the unforeseen occurs."

Of the drivers polled, 34 percent reported they had read through their auto policy, yet only 23 percent were very confident they knew their deductible limits. In the meantime, 65 percent of the respondents said they had filed a claim in the past.

To help gain a better understanding of what an auto insurance policy covers, Allstate offers the following tips for consumers:

  --  Read through your policy. For starters, ready your policy and
      highlight what you don't understand. Contact your agent or insurance
      company to review those items, ensure your understanding of your
      policy coverages, and to help you determine if you are adequately
      covered should you have an accident. Visit
      http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance/bumper-to-bumper.aspx to review
      Allstate's Bumper-to-Bumper Basics to learn about various types of
      coverages and how they can work to protect you.
  --  Comprehensive vs. Collision. You may have both coverages on your
      policy, but do you know what they mean? Comprehensive helps protect
      your car in situations that don't necessarily involve a collision.
      Collision helps protect you if you're involved in a collision with
      another object, such as another car, tree or building. They also vary
      in that each may carry a different deductible. It's important to
      understand how each coverage applies in a given situation and what you
      may be responsible for deductible-wise if something happens.
  --  Determine appropriate deductibles for each coverage. Your deductible
      is the amount of money you agree to pay out-of-pocket when you make a
      claim covered by your policy. Knowing what you agreed to in your
      policy helps eliminate any surprises if or when you need to file a
      claim.

  --  Review your policy every year. Life changes such as buying a home,
      moving apartments, getting married, or having a child can affect your
      insurance needs. Reviewing your policy annually ensures you and your
      family are properly protected.

For more information on an Allstate auto policy, please visit www.allstate.com.

About the Survey

The national survey is comprised of 1009 insured drivers. Interviews were collected between August 20-27, 2009 using internet samples. All participants were insured drivers who reported to have collision and/or comprehensive coverage included on their insurance policy. All surveys were conducted by Squier Knapp Dunn and Beck Research for Allstate.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With AllstateŽ" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 AllstateŽ.