Car accidents are scary and stressful experiences. A glimmer of hope and solace is offered in knowing that automobile and health insurance will help cover the costs of property damages and personal injuries. However, what type of insurance and how much it covers can greatly affect the outcome of a car accident case.
Liability Coverage
What it is: Protects the driver from claims arising from negligence
Affect: Standard car insurance reimburses for personal injury and property damage. Policy limits put a cap on how much the insurance company will payout.
Collision Coverage
What it is: Helps pay for the repair of your damaged car if you are struck by an uninsured (or hit-and-run) driver.
Affect: Be aware that this coverage only applies to the property damage to your vehicle, NOT to any personal injuries sustained.
Comprehensive Insurance
What it is: Covers damage to your car from an incident that is NOT a collision, like fire or vandalism.
Affect: Since it does not cover collision, it will not apply in a car accident case.
Uninsured Driver Coverage
What it is: Helps protect you in the event the other party is uninsured.
Affect: If you are unable to make a claim against the other party, you can make a claim with your own insurance company and be offered coverage by this policy. There is often a cap to this coverage, so it won’t always cover everything, but it can be better than nothing!
Underinsured Driver Coverage
What it is: Helps protect you in the event that the at-fault party does not have ENOUGH coverage to fully compensate you.
Affect: This coverage is often offered as a bundle package with uninsured driver coverage, so it often also has a cap.
Medical Payments Coverage
What it is: “Med Pay” can help pay for the medical expenses (including funeral costs) for both drivers and passengers.
Affect: Helps provide coverage when health insurance is limited.
Gap Insurance
What it is: Cars depreciate quickly, so this insurance helps cover the amount owed on a car loan after a total loss or theft.
Affect: If the property loss settlement isn’t enough to cover an auto loan, gap insurance can kick in.
Experts estimate 1 in 7 drivers are uninsured. Don’t rely on the other drivers to offer insurance compensation in the event of an accident. Make sure your auto insurance policy does the most to protect you and your loved ones.
If you have been injured in an accident by a driver with no insurance, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Kamper & Estrada, PLLC. We offer free, one-hour consultations to help you discover what your options may be.
