Liberty Mutual: Vehicle Insurance Explained

Liberty Mutual offers a wide range of vehicle insurance options, including car, RV, ATV, boat, and classic car insurance. Their car insurance coverage includes liability, personal injury protection, uninsured motorist, collision, and comprehensive coverages. They also offer a variety of additional coverages such as accident forgiveness, better car replacement, rental car reimbursement, and roadside assistance. Liberty Mutual's vehicle insurance is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and they provide online quotes and policies as well as a network of local agents. The company has a long list of discounts and robust digital tools on its website and app, making it a good choice for those seeking customizable and affordable vehicle insurance.

Discounts and savings

Liberty Mutual offers a range of discounts and savings opportunities for its auto insurance customers. The company advertises 17 auto insurance discounts, which can save drivers up to 30% on their car insurance. These discounts are divided into four main groups: safe driver discounts, vehicle safety feature discounts, customer detail discounts, and customer loyalty discounts.

Safe Driver Discounts

Safe drivers can benefit from the following discounts:

• Accident-Free Discount: For customers who have gone at least five years without an accident.
• Violation-Free Discount: For drivers who have avoided violations such as speeding tickets, parking citations, or DUIs for five consecutive years.
• RightTrack Discount: A safe driving program that offers an initial discount for signing up and a final discount of up to 30% for safe driving behaviour.
• Claims-Free Discount: For customers with a claims-free driving history.

Vehicle Safety Feature Discounts

Discounts are available for vehicles with certain safety features:

• Anti-Theft Device Discount: For vehicles equipped with anti-theft devices or technology, such as passive alarms or LoJack systems.
• Advanced Safety Features Discount: For vehicles with advanced safety features like anti-lock brakes, adaptive headlights, or electronic stability controls.
• Alternative Energy Discount: For hybrid or electric vehicles.

Customer Detail Discounts

Liberty Mutual also offers discounts based on customer details:

• Homeowner Discount: For customers who own a home.
• Military Discount: For active, retired, or reserve members of the United States Armed Forces.
• Early Shopper Discount: For customers who sign up for a new policy before their current policy expires.
• Good Student Discount: For student drivers with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Student Away-at-School Discount: For students who are away at school and do not take a car with them.

Customer Loyalty Discounts

There are also discounts for loyal customers:

• Multi-Car Discount: For customers who insure multiple vehicles with Liberty Mutual.
• Multi-Policy Discount: For customers who bundle their auto insurance with other policies, such as home, life, or umbrella coverage.
• Preferred Payment Discount: For customers who enrol in automatic payments from their bank account.
• Pay-in-Full Discount: For customers who pay for their entire policy in one or two payments.
• Online Purchase Discount: A 12% discount for customers who buy their policy online.
• Paperless Policy Discount: For customers who choose to go paperless and sign up for electronic communication.

Other Ways to Save

In addition to these discounts, Liberty Mutual suggests other ways to save on car insurance, including:

• Increasing your deductible.
• Comparing auto insurance quotes.
• Maintaining a good driving record.
• Participating in a safe driving program.
• Taking a defensive driving course.
• Exploring payment options, such as paying annually or with a preferred method.
• Improving your credit score.
• Participating in a low-mileage driving program.
• Reviewing your current policy to ensure it reflects your current situation and coverage needs.
• Considering your vehicle features and choosing a vehicle that is cheaper to insure.
• Researching insurance costs before purchasing a new vehicle.
• Looking into discounts for teen drivers, such as good student discounts or higher deductibles.
• Bundling your auto insurance with home insurance or other policies to take advantage of multi-policy discounts.

Comprehensive and collision coverage

On the other hand, comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your vehicle from events that are not collision-related, such as theft, vandalism, or hail. It also covers damage caused by animals or falling objects, such as trees. Comprehensive insurance is ideal if you live in an area with a high risk of vehicle damage due to factors like fallen branches or animal collisions.

Both types of coverage are essential if you want compensation to repair or replace your car in the event of an accident, theft, or other covered incidents. They are often sold together as a package by auto insurers, and can provide valuable protection in case of unexpected events.

At Liberty Mutual, comprehensive and collision coverage are specific to each vehicle and help pay for damage to your car regardless of fault. These coverages are optional but may be required if you have a loan, lease, or finance your vehicle. With Liberty Mutual, you can also take advantage of additional coverage options, such as rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance, to further protect yourself in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Medical payments coverage

MedPay can help cover expenses related to:

• Doctor, hospital, and emergency room visits
• Initial hospital stays
• Surgeries and X-rays
• Health insurance deductibles and co-pays
• Prostheses or other medical mobility devices
• Ongoing medical services

However, it's important to note that MedPay does not cover costs that exceed your auto policy's stated limit, childcare expenses during recovery, wage reimbursement if you're unable to work due to injuries, medical costs for injuries to other drivers involved in the accident, or any medical treatments unrelated to the auto accident.

In some states, MedPay is mandatory, while in others, it may be optional or not offered. It's essential to review your state's requirements and your health insurance policy when considering MedPay coverage.

Liberty Mutual's mobile app

The app provides quick and secure login using touch or face recognition, allowing users to access their ID cards with a single touch. This digital ID card feature is particularly useful when buying a car, in case of accidents, or when pulled over. Users can also download and save these ID cards to their Apple Wallet.

The Liberty Mutual app enables customers to manage their policies effortlessly. They can get customised recommendations, understand their coverage, and make policy changes, such as adding drivers or updating mortgage lenders. The app also allows users to sign up for paperless billing, Autopay, and push notifications.

In addition to policy management, the app assists with claims handling. Users can file a claim, track its real-time status, and request roadside assistance. The app also facilitates uploading damage pictures and scheduling damage reviews or rental vehicles.

Another notable feature is the safe driving program, available in select states, which rewards customers for safe driving practices. This program helps customers save money on their insurance.

The app also offers chat support, providing customers with assistance when they need it the most.

Overall, the Liberty Mutual mobile app provides a seamless and comprehensive experience for customers, making insurance management convenient and accessible.

Optional coverage types

Liberty Mutual offers a wide range of optional coverage types to its customers. These include:

Accident Forgiveness

If you have been accident-free and violation-free for the last five years, you can avail of this coverage, which means your premium will not increase after your first accident. This coverage is not available in California and may vary by state.

New Car Replacement

If your car is totaled in the first model year and within the first 15,000 miles, you will be reimbursed for the cost of a new car, rather than just the depreciated value.

Better Car Replacement

If your car is totaled at any age or mileage, you will be reimbursed for a car one year newer and with 15,000 fewer miles on it than your totaled car.

Deductible Fund

Liberty Mutual will contribute $70 to this fund, while you contribute $30 each year. If you have an accident, the amount you pay out of pocket will be reduced by the amount of money in the fund.

Gap Insurance

If your car is totaled and you owe more on your loan or lease than the car was worth, gap insurance will pay the difference.

Original Parts Replacement

This coverage ensures that if your car is damaged, repairs are made with original manufacturer parts when available.

Rental Car Valet Service

If your car is damaged in a covered accident but is still drivable, Liberty Mutual will deliver a rental car to your location while your car is in the shop for repairs. A valet driver will then take your car to a mechanic and bring it back. Availability may vary by state.

Teachers' Auto Insurance

This offering is unique to Liberty Mutual and is available to teachers at no extra cost. It includes:

• Vandalism loss protection: There is no deductible if your vehicle is vandalized during school-related events or on school property (except in Pennsylvania, where a $100 deductible applies).
• Personal property coverage: Liberty Mutual will reimburse you up to $2,500 per incident if your teaching materials or school-owned property are stolen or damaged while in your vehicle.
• Collision coverage: There is no deductible if your car is damaged in an accident while driving it for school business (except in Pennsylvania, where a $100 deductible applies).

Frequently asked questions