Questions, questions, questions. Always questions, never answers. That’s how it can feel when you’re trying to wade through the endless muck of your car insurance policy to find out the terms of your coverage. For example, how much coverage do you have if you’re in an accident? Where do you really want your deductible? And do you really need all those bonus features they decided to toss in?

Here’s a look at the most frequently asked questions in the car insurance industry and the answers your insurance company should have given you in the first place.

1)      How much insurance do I really need? I think every car insurance shopper asks this question at one point or another. On the one hand, the last thing you want to do is get caught driving underinsured (or worse, uninsured). On the other hand, you don’t want to pay a small fortune for coverage you don’t even need.

Every state has its own set of policies when it comes to liability car insurance, and it would pay to find out the rules in your state. Just barely enough usually isn’t enough, however. Experts recommend you carry a minimum of $100,000 to $300,000 in bodily damage liability and $100,000 in property damage liability, just in case. Emergency rooms are getting more expensive by the day! 

2)      Do I want comprehensive and collision?

If you’ve got a lien on your car you’re not going to have any choice when it comes to your comprehensive and collision car insurance coverage. If you own your car free and clear, however, it’s going to be entirely up to you. Have comprehensive and collision coverage is never a bad thing. That way if you’re in an accident you aren’t left high and dry when your car gets totaled until you can come up with the money for another one. On the other hand, it costs money. With hundreds of drivers hitting the streets with no car insurance coverage whatsoever because they can no longer afford their premiums it’s understandable that you’d be looking for a way to cut back on your costs.

A good rule of thumb is, if you’ve got enough in your bank account to at least make a downpayment on a new car and your old one is worth less than $1,000, you might be able to live without it. Otherwise, sign on the bottom line and enjoy knowing you’re backed by the best car insurance protection in the biz.

3)      How high should my deductibles be?

This is the million dollar question. Your deductibles are going to have a huge effect on your car insurance rates, so it pays (literally) to make sure you’ve made the right choice. The higher your deductibles, the lower your insurance rates; however, keep in mind that you’re going to be expected to come up with this money on a moment’s notice, without any forewarning whatsoever. Don’t set your deductibles any higher than what you can reasonably expect to be able to get your hands on.

4)      Do I really need all these extras?

Car insurance companies are all about adding value to their policies, so it should come as no surprise to find out there are tons of little “extras” you can add to your coverage. Nine times out of ten, however, you don’t really need them-and you can find them cheaper someplace else. Don’t be afraid to just say no.