Insured drivers ask: If I hit a deer or other animal on the road, what expenses will I incur? If my car is totaled in an accident, am I still responsible for making payments on the balance I owe? If I am involved in an accident and the other driver is at fault, could I have to wait to get a replacement rental car?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you are not alone. Most insured drivers do not stop to think about their auto insurance coverage until after an accident. And that’s the absolute worst time to ponder your policy, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), a non-profit consumer education organization.

Following the stress and anxiety of a car accident, nobody wants to be befuddled, surprised, or angered by finding out that a standard insurance policy may not cover costly expenses. Carolyn Gorman, Vice President of the I.I.I. in Washington, D.C, said drivers need to fully understand their auto insurance policies before an accident happens. Doing so can save them time, money and aggravation.

So, just how well do you know the ins and outs of your own auto insurance policy? To find out, take this simple quiz:

	If my insured teenager takes my car without permission and runs into my neighbor’s garage door, what costs am I responsible for? A) Vehicle repair cost B) Deductible C) Garage door repair cost If I hit a deer on the road, what expenses do I incur? A) Deductible B) Vehicle repair cost C) Deer disposal fee What kind of coverage would pay my vehicle repair costs if my car is damaged in a hit-and-run accident? A) Gap coverage B) Uninsured motorist coverage C) Property damage coverage If my car is totaled in an accident, am I still responsible for making payments on the balance I owe on the car? A) Yes B) No If I’m involved in an accident and the other driver is at fault, will I have to wait to get a rental replacement car? A) Yes B) No Now, the extra credit questions: Are drivers in all states required to carry collision coverage? Comprehensive coverage? Gap coverage? A) Yes for all B) No for all Click for Answers

"Although you’re required to have a minimum level of insurance to register your car, the coverage is not guaranteed to meet your individual needs," Gorman said. "Most people do not understand how various types of coverage, as well as low- cost options, are designed to help them avoid worry and expense down the road.

"Taking just a few minutes to read your policy or talking to your insurance agent once a year can go a long way toward helping you avoid hassles and out-of- pocket expenses," said Gorman. "The bottom line is being informed and prepared before an accident."