Customers often cling to misconceptions about their car insurance, which can lead to confusion and unexpected claims issues. Many believe "full coverage" protects them against all possible scenarios, without realizing that coverage actually consists of a combination of different coverages, including liability, collision and comprehensive coverage. However, even "full coverage" can often exclude extra, often necessary, coverages like uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection (PIP) or gap insurance, which can leave drivers scrambling to cover all necessary costs in the event they're involved in an auto incident. Customers also often overlook the importance of regularly reviewing – and asking their agent questions about – their policies. Life changes like buying a new car, moving to a new area or adding a teenaged driver can all trigger the necessity for insurance changes. Failing to update their auto policies appropriately can leave drivers vulnerable to unexpected costs. Having a full understanding of the different types of auto insurance that are available to them can help insureds make education decisions about their policies and avoid coverage gaps. In the slideshow above, we'll examine seven of the most common auto insurance coverages, who needs them, and how much they cost, according to information from USA Today.

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