Every U.S. state with the exception of New Hampshire requires its drivers to purchase liability insurance to drive legally. However, collision and comprehensive are optional, even though nearly four out of five drivers choose to purchase these coverages.

Collision coverage

Collision pays for damage to your car resulting from a collision with an object (e.g., a telephone pole, a guard rail, a mailbox), or as a result of flipping over. The average cost is about $290 per year. Collision coverage reimburses you for the costs of repairing your car, minus the deductible.

Q: What is ride-sharing and why is it getting so much attention from insurance companies?

A: Ride-sharing companies provide taxi-like services by connecting passengers to drivers via a smart phone app. Rides can be arranged in advance or on short notice.

The good news is, yes, pothole damage is usually covered—provided you have collision coverage. Collision coverage, an optional portion of a standard auto insurance policy, covers damage to a car resulting from a collision with an object (e.g., a pothole, lamp post or guard rail), another car or as the result of flipping over. However, it does not cover wear and tear to a car or its tires due to bad road conditions.

Some types of auto insurance coverage are required, others are optional, but you’ll want to understand them all because they provide protection against several types of risk.

For parents, the excitement of having a first-time driver in the house is usually tempered with worry. With little driving experience, immature drivers are at a higher risk for accidents. Of course, safety concern is uppermost in most parents' minds but other stressors—like the high cost of insuring your new driver and the financial liability implications of a teen driving mishap—can be reduced with these steps.

Snow, sleet, ice and below freezing temperatures all have an effect on driving conditions. During winter, safety depends on driver performance in winter hazards, good vehicle maintenance—and common sense. These tips will help you and your car weather the winter.

After a vehicle has been involved in a major accident and has been repaired, the resale value may be less than if it had not been damaged.

When purchasing an auto policy, it’s important to understand the factors that affect your policy costs and coverage. Unfortunately, there's a lot of bad information that passes for "common wisdom"—here, we separate myth from facts about car insurance.

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One of the best ways to keep your auto insurance costs down is to have a good driving record.

Listed below are other things you can do to lower your insurance costs.