No one wants to plan for a car accident or the need for a car accident attorney, but taking a look at your insurance policy can help you be better prepared in case of an accident. There are several different types of coverage that you should consider.
Liability Coverage
Liability coverage protects you from the claims that any other person may make against you in case of an accident involving your vehicle and includes coverage for personal injury claims. This coverage will not pay you for your injuries or property damage, but only the claims that the other persons may make against you. The State of Tennessee requires a minimum of $25,000 in coverage for the claims of any one person and $50,000 in coverage for the claims of all persons involved in the accident. The State of Tennessee also requires a minimum of $15,000 in coverage for property damage claims. This means that your insurance company will defend any claims made against you and will pay up to the limit of your coverage. It is highly recommended that your policy cover significantly more than the required minimum.attorney, but taking a look at your insurance policy can help you be better prepared in case of an accident. There are several different types of coverage that you should consider.
Typically your insurance policy will not provide liability coverage for claims against you by members of your own household. It will protect you, however, from claims even if someone else is driving your vehicle, provided they are using it with your permission.
Uninsured Motor Coverage and Underinsured Coverage
This coverage protects you from other drivers who may be uninsured or who do not have sufficient insurance coverage. This coverage will pay your claim against any other person who causes a motor vehicle accident in which you are injured or sustain property damage up to the amount specified in your policy.
Uninsured motorist claims for property damage are subject to a $200 deductible. For uninsured motorist coverage to apply the driver causing the accident must have either made physical contact with your vehicle or, if there is no physical contact, his actions which caused the accident can be verified by a person who was not an occupant of your vehicle. In cases like this your policy can not be cancelled nor your rates increased as a result of your claim; the law recognizes that your claim is based on another’s fault.
Medical Payments Coverage
This type of coverage will pay for medical treatment for injuries that you or your passengers sustain in an accident. This type of coverage is usually limited to $5,000, so don’t count on it as a substitute for health insurance. It is wise to submit all medical expenses to your health insurance company and use Medical Payments Coverage for payment of deductibles, co-payments and other expenses that may not be covered by health insurance.
If your health insurance is through Medicare, the government may insist that Medical Payments Coverage is primary and must be exhausted before Medicare can kick in. It is also important to remember that if you do recover damages from the other driver, your insurance company is usually entitled to be reimbursed for any payments they made.
Collision Coverage
This coverage will pay you for the damages your vehicle sustains in the accident, regardless of who was at fault.
Comprehensive Coverage
This type of coverage will pay for loss or damages to your vehicle as a result of theft, vandalism or a storm.
Take a look at your policy to make sure that you are adequately prepared for any type of car accident. Drive carefully and stay safe. If you do find yourself in need of an experienced car accident attorney, contact The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto for a free consultation. Give us a call at (865) 691-2777 or contact us through our website Brown & Roberto, PLLC to set up a free consultation.