Auto insurance is something you have to have in order to drive on the roads today. Even if it weren't required by law, it would be an essential purchase for every driver on the road. But how do you know if your auto insurance coverage really meets your needs?

It's not enough to work with an insurance agent that will sell you any auto insurance policy you ask for. You need to work with someone willing to learn the details of your daily drive and work to create a policy customized to meet your needs. These are a few of the protections you may need that aren't automatically included in your auto insurance policy.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Protection

This auto insurance coverage offers protection for repairs to your vehicle and medical bills if the responsible driver does not have insurance or lacks sufficient insurance to cover the costs.

Gap Insurance Protection

Gap auto insurance protection helps cover the differences between the assessed value of your vehicle and what you actually owe on your car if it is a total loss after an accident occurs. This means you aren't left owing large sums of cash on a car that is no longer drivable. Of course, if you owe less for your car than its current value, this is an unnecessary expense. So keep that in mind when choosing auto insurance coverage.

Aftermarket Parts Protection

This protection is specific to upgrades and additions to your car that are not factory-installed. It may include protection for expensive radio equipment, costly alarm systems, and even engine upgrades you make to your vehicle.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection (PIP) for your auto insurance policy covers the costs of medical treatment for yourself, your family, and your passengers for accident-related injuries. If you do not have medical insurance or have a high-deductible policy, you might want to consider this essential protection as an add-on to your auto insurance coverage.

Umbrella Insurance

If you're involved in a major accident that causes substantial damage or medical injuries to one or more person or that results in the death of another person, you can easily exceed the coverage of your standard auto insurance liability protection. When this occurs, the burden to pay the damages, legal fees, etc. falls on you unless you have an umbrella insurance policy that can help cover the costs that exceed your current liability limits.

Work with a trusted insurance agency to make sure you're getting the coverage that best meets your auto insurance needs.