10 Insurance Myths

Men may be more gullible when it comes to insurance myths than women but even women think a number of popular myths about insurance are true, according to a survey by online insurance seller insure.com.

Insure.com said it recently surveyed 2,000 adults, half women and half men, from all regions of the country, asking them whether 10 insurance-related statements were true or false. All the statements were false.

Insure.com also looked at who is more likely to believe a myth – men or women. In all cases except two, men were more likely to be duped by an insurance myth.

Below are the 10 insurance myths:

• Myth 1: I should buy insurance coverage for my house based on its real estate market value. 52% think it’s true (45% women, 55% men). Reality: Buy coverage based on a home’s cost to reconstruct (materials and labor).
• Myth 2: Red cars cost more to insure because they get pulled over for speeding more. 46% think it’s true (52% women, 48% men). Reality: Car color doesn’t affect insurance rates.
• Myth 3: If I cause a crash with extensive damages to others, my auto insurance company can cancel me immediately. 44% think it’s true (50% women, 50% men). Reality: If an insurer wants to drop a customer due to claims, it generally has to wait until the policy period is up.
• Myth 4: Small cars are the cheapest to insure. 40% think it’s true (42% women, 58% men). Reality: Small and mid-size SUVs and minivans are generally the cheapest to insure.
• Myth 5: The Affordable Care Act allows health insurance companies to base rates on medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. 36% think it’s true (42% women, 58% men). Reality: The Affordable Care Act prohibits health insurers from basing rates on pre-existing conditions.
• Myth 6: Comprehensive auto insurance covers everything and anything.32% think it’s true (41% women, 59% men). Reality: Comprehensive coverage covers only narrow portions of possible problems, including car theft, storm damage, animal collisions and vandalism.
• Myth 7: Thieves prefer to steal new cars. 29% think it’s true (42% women, 58% men). Reality: It’s more lucrative to steal old cars and sell them for parts.
• Myth 8: If my friend borrows my car and crashes it, their insurance will pay for damage. 25% think it’s true (48% women, 52% men). Reality: Your insurance pays when someone else drives your car.
• Myth 9: The Affordable Care Act requires me to take the health insurance plan offered by my employer. 19% think it’s true (41% women, 59% men). Reality: The ACA requires almost all Americans to buy health insurance but doesn’t say where they must get it.
• Myth 10: Out-of-state speeding tickets can’t follow you home. 13% say it’s true (34% women, 66% men). Reality: Yes, they can.