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Know What Your Car Insurance Covers

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Does car insurance pay for damage to your car that wasn't caused by a collision?

Worshippers leaving St. Cedma's church in Ireland last month were shocked to find that while in the service, their cars had been vandalized. Someone deserves some divine retribution. But, if knowing that the criminals who did this will be punished one way or another isn't enough, those worshippers may find one other not so pleasant fact of life: their insurance might not cover the damage.

Car insurance is not a one size fits all proposition. You can get the full boat so to speak of car insurance - what is called full tort coverage in some states, comprehensive in others - that covers all damage to your car no matter how it happened. But you can get cheaper, limited tort or that "state minimum" coverage which seemed like such a good deal when you saved 15% or more on your insurance, which can cover damage to your car or the other party's car in an accident, but wouldn't cover damage that didn't happen in a collision.

So check your policy to see what is and what isn't covered and consider adding more coverage because heaven knows you may need it.

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