Managing your coverages is painless

Absolutely. Simply log into your policy to update your coverages or call us at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262) and we'll be happy to help.

To update your coverages online, follow these steps:

1. Log into your policy
2. Go to the "Policy info" tab and click on "Coverage details"
3. Click the "Edit coverages" button on the top right
4. Enter the date you'd like your policy changes to take effect
5. Select your new coverage levels (you can click "Recalculate" to see any premium changes)
6. Click "Apply coverage changes" at the bottom of the page
7. Verify your changes and click "Apply changes"

If you'd rather talk it through, you can contact us at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262). We'll be more than happy to make the changes for you.

Yes. To add a new car to your existing car insurance coverage, log into your policy. Click on "Add car", and fill in your new car's information. And of course, you can call us at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262) for human assistance.

It's possible to backdate other types of insurance policies, such as life insurance, but as a rule, we can't backdate car insurance policies.

To avoid a lapse in coverage, buy your new car insurance policy before your old policy term ends. You can set your policy's effective date (which is the date your coverage begins) to coincide with the day your old coverage ends.

It's entirely up to you. When you make changes to your policy, you'll be asked to choose when you'd like them to go into effect. In most cases, you can choose any time between now and the next 14 days.

Once you've chosen an effective date, it generally takes about 48 hours for updates to be made to your online documents, including your ID card.

It depends on whether you have customized parts and equipment coverage.

Customized parts and equipment coverage can protect any special modification, equipment, device, and accessory you've added to your car up to a limit of $4,000. Without customized parts and equipment coverage, your policy — even if you have comprehensive and collision coverage — only covers the original equipment included by the manufacturer.

If you'd like to add this coverage, log into your policy or call us at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262).

Because car insurance follows the car, any person who has explicit or implied permission to drive your car — a family member who lives in your household, children home from school, or a friend — will be covered by your policy while driving that vehicle.

If you've excluded a driver from your policy, he or she won't be covered under any circumstance.

Yes, but if an accident happens, your friend's car insurance would be the primary coverage. Say you borrowed Lester's Toyota and got in an accident. Your friend's car insurance would cover the damages. Your Esurance policy would kick in only when the limits of your friend's coverage have been used up.

Your Esurance policy will protect you throughout any state in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. If you'll be driving in Mexico or elsewhere, note that your Esurance policy won't be valid south of the border or in other parts of the globe.

Not necessarily. Because most states have unique insurance requirements, moving to a new state might impact your coverages.

If you're moving to another state, give us a call at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262) to learn how your move affects your insurance needs. We can help make any changes necessary.

If you're moving to a state in which Esurance isn't currently available, we can help you find affordable coverage from another trusted company. Just give us a call and we'll help you start shopping and comparing.

Comprehensive coverage, which is optional but sometimes required by a lender or finance company, can help cover the following:

• Non-collision damage caused by falling objects, fire, certain natural disasters, and vandalism
• Theft
• Glass damage
• Animal collisions

If you live in an area prone to floods or other natural disasters and only have liability coverage on your policy, comprehensive coverage can provide added financial protection.

Car insurance requirements vary from state to state. Most states require that you carry liability coverage. But some also require you to carry uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection as well.

When you get a quote through Esurance, we show you the minimum insurance requirements in your state as the lowest option in a dropdown box. In other words, you don't have to worry about meeting the state's minimum coverage. Any policy option we offer will automatically do so.

Keep in mind that the minimum coverage required by your state might not provide the financial protection you require.

As a unique driver, your coverage needs will match your unique circumstances. But as a general rule, the right amount of coverage is the most you can comfortably afford.

For personalized coverage recommendations (including limits and deductibles), you can call us at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262). We'll be happy to go over your policy coverage by coverage, and explain how any change might impact your premium.