Once you have gotten the emergency medical treatment that you need, it is very important to notify your insurance company about your car accident just as soon as you can. There are numerous reasons for this, not the least of which is that many drivers in Tennessee are underinsured or have no insurance at all. One of the ways you can protect yourself from them is by adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your insurance policy. This type of insurance will help you if the person who caused your accident is uninsured or underinsured, but only if you report your accident promptly.
Won’t This Just Make My Rates Go Up?
Many clients worry that accessing their uninsured motorist coverage will simply cause their rates to go up, but the law prevents this from happening. Tennessee law states that, “no insurer shall increase the automobile insurance rate or premium of an insured with uninsured motorist coverage, nor cancel the coverage due solely to the payment of any claim under uninsured motorist coverage.” (TCA 50-7-1201) Though the law is clear, executing it can be complicated. Don’t try to go it alone; discuss your case with an experienced car wreck lawyer.
Is My Coverage Enough?
Many drivers in Tennessee only carry the minimum amount of insurance, which is $25,000. That’s fine for a minor accident with limited injuries, but won’t be enough if you have a serious injury. Unfortunately, most people don’t pay attention to this until it’s too late to do anything about it. If you carry $50,000 in uninsured/underinsured coverage and the driver that caused the accident has minimum coverage, the most you could recover is still $50,000, including $25,000 from the at-fault driver’s insurance and $25,000 from your own uninsured/underinsured coverage.
For an explanation on the different types of car insurance, check out our article on the topic. If you are not sure what your uninsured/underinsured coverage is, please contact your insurance carrier and make sure you are protected at a level that you are makes you comfortable.
Call Today for a Free Consultation
The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto are serious lawyers who know how to win. With more than 75 years combined experience, The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto have recovered more than $45 million for their clients. Our office is conveniently located in West Knoxville, with plenty of free parking. We’re happy to meet with you free of charge to discuss your case and answer any questions that you may have. Give us a call at (865) 691-2777 or contact us through our website The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto, PLLC to set up a free consultation.