As you send your children off to college, you probably have a lot of things on your mind - whether they'll eat right and get enough sleep, how to pay the tuition bills, what to do with that empty bedroom, etc. For most people, insurance concerns are pretty low on the priority list. But there are some important issues you should consider.

A standard auto insurance policy is a package of different kinds of coverage. You generally have some flexibility in terms of both the types and amounts of coverage you select. However, practically every state has enacted insurance laws that require drivers to carry at least some auto insurance. Many states even require that you present proof of insurance before you register a car. So the short answer to the question is that you will probably need to insure your car, regardless of its value.

Whether you lease your car or have an outstanding auto loan, GAP insurance can provide valuable protection during the early years of your car's life. As we all know, a new car's value drops the minute you drive it off the lot. And unfortunately, if a bus plows into the side of your new car five minutes after you drive it off the lot, your insurance only covers the actual cash value of the car. At this point, there's a good chance the insurance payoff isn't enough to pay off your outstanding lease (or loan) balance.

People are often confused about who is covered under a standard auto insurance policy. There are typically only one or two names listed in the "Named Insured" section of an auto insurance policy, but that doesn't mean that those are the only people who are covered under the policy. As a general rule, auto insurance coverage actually follows the vehicle, not the driver. So if your car is involved in an accident, the car typically receives the full coverage provided by the auto insurance policy, regardless of who is driving.

That depends on which state you live in. Each state has its own rules governing the cancellation of automobile insurance policies. You should check Part F of your personal auto policy (PAP) regarding termination and cancellation conditions. This section will address when, how, and for what reasons coverage under your personal auto policy can be terminated. You should also check any applicable endorsements regarding cancellation.

Insurance premiums depend on several factors, including your age, sex, place of residence, and driving record; the amount and type of coverage you select; and whether you drive your vehicle primarily for business or personal purposes. This explains why one driver might pay a different premium than another for the same make of motor vehicle.

In most states, auto insurance functions under a traditional fault-based system. Under this system, insurance companies make payments based on each person's degree of fault in an accident. However, long and costly court battles may be required to determine who was at fault in many accidents. In an attempt to reduce this problem, thirteen states (CO, FL, HI, KS, KY, MA, MI, MN, NJ, NY, ND, PA, and UT) have adopted an alternative no-fault system of insurance. Under a no-fault system, when you have an accident, your auto insurance provider automatically pays for your damages (regardless of fault) up to a specified limit. In exchange for this guaranteed payment, you must forego some of your rights to sue the other driver involved in the accident. By the same token, you are also protected from being sued in the event you are at fault in an accident. There are elements of no-fault in all auto insurance coverage. For example, medical payments and property damage are typically paid regardless of fault.

If your fiancé has a poor driving record, you can expect it to affect your insurance premium after you get married. Your automobile insurance policy covers you, your spouse, any other named insured under the policy, and any licensed driver in your household. If any of those people have a bad driving record, it will affect your rates. Of course, insurers consider marital status when calculating risk, so the very act of tying the knot may improve your future spouse's risk profile. But if his or her driving record is really bad, you may want to consider additional strategies to stave off a hike in your premium.

SR-22 insurance is used differently in different states, so it is difficult to give a specific answer to this question. An SR-22 insurance policy is generally a motor vehicle liability insurance policy required for reinstatement after your drivers license has been suspended or revoked. SR-22 insurance is uniquely suited for these situations, because it requires the insurance company to notify the department of motor vehicles if the policy is canceled, terminated, or lapses. If any of these things happen, your license will typically be suspended until the policy is brought current or reinstated. Under the laws of most states, you must carry SR-22 insurance for a certain period (often three years) after the end of your suspension or revocation.

As you have probably discovered, insuring a teenage driver can be very expensive. Drivers under the age of 25 pose the greatest risk to insurers because of their high level of at-fault accidents. Insurance companies seek to limit their exposure by charging higher insurance rates for 16- to 24-year-olds than for any other age group. The least expensive option would probably be to add your teenager to your existing auto insurance policy once he gets his permanent driver's license. Although this can still be an expensive prospect, your teen might be able to take advantage of certain discounts as a driver on your policy (e.g., safe-driver and multiple-car discounts for which you are eligible).