insurance terms that start with ‘c’
CARCO
CARCO (also known as the CARCO Group) is a company that specializes in providing vehicle inspections to determine insurability. Various major car insurance carriers exclusively use CARCO for their inspection needs.
See also: inspection, registration, car insurance
Related link
Where do I get my car inspected for damage?
CARFAX®
CARFAX (also known as Carfax Inc.) is a professional service that provides consumers and businesses with history reports on used vehicles. Using a vehicle identification number, or VIN, CARFAX can obtain any vehicle's records — including ownership information, accidents, and repair history.
See also: VIN
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New car? Consider new car expenses before you buy.
Car insurance
Car insurance (also known as auto insurance, automobile insurance, vehicle insurance, or motor insurance) is a contract between a vehicle owner and an insurer. A car insurance policy provides financial protection from the costs associated with a car accident, including property damage and personal liability.
See also: comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, liability
Related links
Car insurance quotes
Car insurance discounts
Car insurance rates FAQs
Car insurance calculator
A car insurance calculator attempts to predict what you would pay for a policy by quickly analyzing some general information about you as a driver. Some common things you may plug into a car insurance calculator to generate a quote are your age, gender, ZIP Code, vehicle type, and accident history.
See also: quote
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Get a free car insurance quote
How certain factors affect auto insurance rates
Car insurance companies
Car insurance companies (also known as car insurance carriers, auto insurance companies, or auto insurance carriers) underwrite policies to owners of cars, trucks, and other vehicles. The main purpose of the policy is to provide financial protection from car accidents, property damage, and the resulting liability.
See also: Esurance
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About Esurance
Car insurance
Car insurance discounts
FAQs on car insurance rates
Casualty insurance
See property and casualty insurance.
Citation
A citation (also known as a ticket) is a legal summons generally issued as the result of a moving or non-moving driving violation.
Moving violations are driving-related infractions, such as speeding or failure to yield, whereas non-moving violations are legality-related issues, such as improper registration or parking violations.
See also: Motor Vehicle Report
Claim
A car insurance claim is a policyholder's request to be reimbursed for a loss that's covered by car insurance.
Related link
File a claim
Classic cars
Classic cars are defined by the Classic Car Club of America as any vehicle between 20 and 45 years old. Vehicles more than 45 years old are classified as antiques.
See also: antique cars, brass era cars
Related links
Collector car insurance
Collector car insurance FAQs
Collector cars
A collector car is any collectible vehicle used primarily for pleasure driving, car shows, and club events. In order to maintain collector car insurance on a vehicle, the owner must generally adhere to an annual mileage limit as specified by the insurance company.
See also: antique cars
Related links:
Collector car insurance
Collector car insurance FAQs
Collector car insurance
Collector car insurance (also known as antique car insurance or vintage car insurance) is a form of car insurance designed for cars that aren't your primary vehicle and are typically used for Sunday drives, car shows, or other similar events. Collector cars can be vintage, exotic, limited-edition, or military vehicles.
Related links
Collector car insurance quotes
Collector car insurance FAQs
Collision coverage
Collision coverage can help pay for repairs or replacement costs to your own vehicle if your car hits another vehicle/object or if your car rolls over.
The maximum amount paid for repair or replacement is the car's actual cash value minus the deductible you choose when you buy your policy.
See also: comprehensive coverage, actual cash value, deductible
Related link
What is collision coverage?
Collision deductible waiver
This coverage option pays the deductible for your collision coverage if you're involved in an accident in which an uninsured motorist is held legally responsible.
This particular car insurance coverage option isn't available in all states. If it is available, you must add this to your auto insurance policy if you choose to buy collision coverage.
See also: deductible
Related link
What is a collision deductible waiver?
Commercial use
Commercial use classification (also known as business use) means that you mainly use your car for business purposes (such as sales, service, and delivery calls) or work-related errands (like trips to the bank or post office), and other work-related driving. Commuting to and from work is not considered commercial use.
See also: primary use
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Commercial car insurance
Commercial vehicle
A commercial vehicle (also known as a work vehicle) is any automobile used for business purposes other than commuting.
See also: commercial use
Related links
Commercial car insurance
Myth: commercial car insurance is only for big businesses
Commuting
Commuting, in the context of car insurance, means that you primarily use your car to drive to and from work or school.
See also: primary use
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage (also known as other-than-collision coverage) can kick in when your car is damaged by fire, certain natural disasters, falling objects, or vandalism. Theft and accidents with animals are also covered under this coverage. Comprehensive coverage is legally optional but may be required by a loan or leasing agent if you finance your car.
The maximum amount paid for repair/replacement is the car's actual cash value (minus your deductible, of course).
See also: collision coverage
Related links
Hitting an animal
Weather damage insurance claims
Condominium insurance
Condominium insurance (also known as condo insurance) covers your personal property and the inside of your condo. Condo insurance also provides liability protection for bodily injury or property damage to others. Your condominium association will cover the building itself and the surrounding property.
See also: home insurance, renters insurance
Related links
Condo insurance quotes
Condo insurance FAQs
Continuously insured
The length of time you've been continuously insured is the number of years you've been covered by one or more insurance companies without a lapse in your car insurance coverage.
Credit score
A credit score is a numerical value that represents how likely it is an individual will repay a loan or other debt on time.
The higher your credit score, the better chance you have of being approved for loans, credit cards, vehicle financing, etc. Factors such as bill payment history, credit history, debt-to-credit ratio, and many other financial details can positively or negatively affect your credit score.
See also: insurance score, National Credit File
Related link
Myth: credit score does not affect your rate
Credit union
A credit union is a nonprofit cooperative banking institution owned by its members. Generally, credit unions promote community growth by requiring applicants to reside in specified towns, cities, or counties to qualify for membership. Many credit unions grant membership to employees of certain companies.
Typically, credit unions offer lines of credit and loans at lower rates than traditional, for-profit banks.
Related link
Auto financing and car insurance
Customized parts and equipment coverage
Customized parts and equipment coverage (also known as CPE coverage) insures nonstandard parts that have been installed or altered after a vehicle's original production. Examples of common aftermarket customizations include car stereo systems, modified exhausts, new wheels, and added security features.
See also: collector car insurance, aftermarket parts
Related link
Myth: modified car insurance is hard to find