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When should I review my auto policy?

Liability limits, deductibles, teen drivers and what actually happens after an accident.

3 minute readAuto

Quick answer

At renewal, and any time something changes: a new vehicle, a new driver, a move, a commute change, a teen turning sixteen, a violation aging off, or a premium increase. Auto policies drift out of date faster than any other personal line.

What you need to know

The five-minute check

Liability limits, UM/UIM, deductibles, listed drivers and vehicles, garaging address, and mileage.

After a household change

Marriage, a child moving out, or a driver leaving the household all change the correct structure.

Pair it with your home review

Reviewing both together is how bundling and umbrella gaps get caught.

Common mistakes

  • Carrying California's minimum limits, which a single injury accident can exhaust.
  • Declining or under-buying uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Leaving a household driver off the policy.
  • Filing small physical-damage claims near the deductible.
  • Never updating mileage, garaging address or commute after a change.

When to talk to an agent

Talk to an agent before adding a teen driver, after buying a vehicle, after an accident or ticket, or any time you are not sure whether your liability limits would survive a serious at-fault crash.

Frequently asked

This article is general information, not a policy or a promise of coverage. What your policy pays depends on its specific terms, limits and exclusions. Ask us to review your actual policy before making a decision.

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