If you are eligible for coverage under law, every company must insure you. In almost every instance, every company must cover your auto, wherever it is.  There are a few instances where you may be deemed “ineligible”, however, for the most part whether you live in Timbuktu or Kalamazoo, every company writing auto insurance has a rate for you, and must provide coverage.  You may contact any company or agent selling insurance and ask for a quote, even if you have to call an 800 number or make a long-distance telephone call.  You don’t have to live in the area in which the agent is located to get a policy from a company he or she represents.

Car insurance (which is the same as auto insurance) covers all types offroad-worthy vehicles, whether you drive a car, a truck, or an SUV. Motorcycles also fall under the car insurance category if you drive on public roads. Car insurance requires you to have a valid driver's license for the type of vehicle, as well as a valid license plate on the vehicle itself, from your state or provincial government.

You should also be aware: your government requires certain minimum levels of car insurance be carried by a driver; largely to protect other people. Like it or not, it's the law to carry this minimum car insurance.

What should I never hear from an insurance agent or an insurance company? Many state laws make it illegal for an insurance company or an insurance agent to do certain things.  Your states government's Department of Insurance Customer Service Representative wants to know if you are told any of the following statements as you talk with an agent or a representative of a company. if you’re ever told any of the following (in a very limited number of circumstances these statements might not be illegal, but their office can verify this for you):

• We don’t write in that area
• We aren’t taking any new customers
• We don’t have an agent in your area
• We can’t write your auto insurance unless you insure your home with us
• You aren’t eligible for a policy with our company (no explanation of ineligibility is provided) but we can place you with the MAIPF.

They want to know if you have a problem shopping for auto insurance. Your state government will want to know if you have a problem with an agent/agency or insurance company during the process of shopping around for coverage.  If you disagree with an insurance company about whether you are eligible for coverage, try to resolve the issue with the insurance company.  If you still do not agree with the company position, ask them to provide specific rules or language that they believe excludes you from eligibility.  If you are still dissatisfied contact your states Department of Insurance Customer Service Representative to ask questions or to file a written complaint against the company or agent/agency. 

Some of these points a car insurance company or car insurance agent can help you with. They will know all the required minimum car insurance coverage's. Don't necessarily take anyone's word for granted - sometimes, a car insurance coverage can be made to sound as if it's mandatory, and it's not. Check your regional government website if you are getting more than one story.