An insurance rider adds narrow protections onto an insurance policy, for only a nominal additional fee or no additional fee. The cost for a rider is low because its benefits are limited. You can use car insurance riders to enhance your auto insurance policy. Here are some common ones to consider.

Business-Use Rider

Personal auto insurance is intended to provide coverage when you're driving your car for personal use. Personal use generally encompasses any driving that's not for work, and commuting to and from work isn't considered work driving. 

Personal driving includes running errands, driving around town, and going out of town for vacation, among many other things. Work driving might include driving to see clients, driving a carpool, making local deliveries, or bringing supplies to a store.

Standard personal auto insurance policies often don't cover work-related driving, leaving you without protection unless you obtain coverage for work-related driving. While you could purchase a full-fledged commercial auto insurance policy, it's often easier and more affordable to add a business-use rider onto your personal policy. The rider will cover work-related driving.

Accident-Forgiveness Rider

Your auto insurance rates will probably go up if you're in an accident since your driving history will show that you're a slightly more risky driver than someone who's not been in an accident. The increased premium normally lasts for a little while.

An accident-forgiveness rider will prevent your rates from going up if you're in an accident. The rider typically only applies to a single accident, so your auto insurance rates could still increase if you're involved in multiple accidents during a short time period.

Some insurance companies offer accident forgiveness as a free benefit. Others make it available for a small additional cost. You can decide whether that additional cost is worth preventing your rates from increasing for one accident. You might want to consider how risky of a driver you personally believe yourself to be.

Roadside-Assistance Rider

A roadside-assistance rider provides you with 24/7 emergency help if your vehicle breaks down. The rider might provide free tow services, fuel delivery, and flat tire changes.

Your auto insurance policy isn't the only way to get roadside assistance, as you can purchase it from other organizations. Compare the benefits and costs of what your auto insurance policy offers, and what you can get from other organizations. Choose whichever offers the benefits you need at the lowest price.

For more information, contact an auto insurance company, such as Clover Insurance.