Do you want to know something we probably agree on? We think people should be able to buy auto insurance cheap.

It’s not just a nicety, after all. We believe cheap auto insurance is a necessity. After all, coverage isn't optional; it's required by law. That means it should be affordable for everyone, with no exceptions.

That said, when you're looking to buy cheap auto insurance online, you're not just aiming for the lowest possible price. This is the rub: low prices are great, sure, but not if the coverage they come with doesn't actually work for you. (What would you rather pay: one dollar for a leaky bucket, or five dollars for a bucket that holds water?)

With that in mind, let's take a minute to look at what you really need from your policy, what you should be scanning for when you’re comparing one option to another, and what type of coverage you should walk away from.

Liability Insurance: What's Required?

If you've got a car, you're required to buy liability insurance. This is the basic type of auto insurance that covers damages that you might cause to others in an accident. For example, liability could pay for another person’s medical bills, vehicle repairs, or property damages.

Each state sets their own minimum coverage amount, which you're required by law to buy. For example, in some states, the minimum liability requirement is 25/50/25. That means your policy must cover up to $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Check your states DMV to find out your state’s requirements. For example, Texas requires 30/60/25

So far so good. All you need to know is the minimum required amount, then, correct? Just buy some auto insurance cheap and call it good?

Not so fast. As it turns out, not all liability coverage is created equal

Liability Insurance: What's Smart?

Pretend you're back in Alabama. Let’s say you get in a crash, and the damage you cause adds up to more than $25,000. What happens next?

The answer is, you're personally liable for the balance. Which means, if you have any important assets of your own, such as your home and your retirement fund, are at risk.

If you were sued after causing an accident, your liability insurance protects your assets – up to the limits stated in your policy. Once those limits are used up, you’re on the hook for the rest."

This is why, when you're looking to buy cheap auto insurance, you should not just be shopping for the minimum required coverage. Instead, you should be looking for a coverage amount that matches the value of what you have to lose. Got a house? Another car? Some hard-earned savings? You’ll want to make sure those are protected. (More on how to do that in a minute.)

What About Other Types of Auto Insurance?

You might have noticed by now that liability insurance doesn't pay for any of your own expenses, just other people's. If you want to protect your own health and property too, you'll want additional coverage. While this type of insurance is not required by law, it can certainly be a lifesaver.

There are several types to think about. Collision protects your car from damages due to a collision. Comprehensive protects your car from damages due to something other than a collision, including theft, fire, and other events.

Then there’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This is meant to pay for your medical bills, but some PIP policies go much further, providing money for work that you lost, services that you normally would have done yourself if you weren't injured, and even funeral expenses. “At its broadest, PIP can cover medical payments, lost wages and the cost of replacing services normally performed by someone injured in an auto accident. It may also cover funeral costs,” said Insurance Information Institute (III).

Oh, and don’t forget gap insurance, which is designed to protect your investment in your car, even if it’s depreciated since you bought it. “In the event of an accident in which you've badly damaged or totaled your car, gap insurance covers the difference between what a vehicle is currently worth (which your standard insurance will pay) and the amount you actually owe on it,” said III.

As you can see, there are a lot of types of insurance coverage out there, and each one can come with vastly different coverage amounts. Which brings us to our next point: how do you compare apples to apples? How do you get auto insurance quotes cheap, while knowing that what you’re buying is also sufficient for what you need?

Need an auto insurance quote? Jupiter Auto can help. Get a quote today.

How to select the best cheap auto insurance for your needs

Remember: the goal here is not to buy the cheapest policy. By now it should be clear that there are a lot of cheap auto insurance policies out there that won't actually provide the coverage you need. What you need, rather, is to get the right protection at the most affordable price. Here are some tips to help guide your shopping.

1. Liability. To begin, take a minute to calculate your net worth. Think about any assets you might have, including property you own or money you've saved. Add up what those are worth, then subtract any debt you have. Now look at the number you've got left. "You’ll want total bodily injury limits (the middle number) at least that high," NerdWallet said.

What if you don't have any assets to speak of? In that case, start with the required liability minimum in your state.

2. Comprehensive & collision. Here, the process is pretty much the same no matter what you've got in the bank. Figure out what it would cost to replace your car if it were totaled. This is the coverage amount you'll want to shop for.

3. Personal injury protection. In certain states (including Arkansas), PIP is required. If it's not required, you have a choice. If you (and all of your passengers) have great health insurance, you may not need this layer of protection. That’s because your health insurance will kick in as soon as your auto insurance checks out. "Typically, once available car insurance coverage has been exhausted, your medical costs.

Need an auto insurance quote? Jupiter Auto can help. Get a quote today.