What If There Isn’t Enough Insurance Coverage to Pay Your Claim?

Getting into a car accident is one thing, but dealing with insurance is another. What happens if your insurance coverage isn’t adequate enough to cover your claim? When considering whether to file a claim, it is important to ask: Who is going to pay?

Insurance companies will usually cover most injury claims. Things such as auto accidents, slip & falls, and even medical malpractice should be covered by your insurance company. However, one thing to keep in mind if you decide to file a personal injury claim is that insurance companies usually only pay out to the policy limits. When any kind of liability insurance policy is purchased, there is always a policy limit in place. This refers to the maximum dollar amount the insurance company is responsible for in terms of losses from an incident. For example, if you buy a liability car insurance policy with a $50,000 limit, the insurance company is going to pay out only $50,000 to anyone who suffers injuries and/or vehicle damage in an accident you cause. Any damages that exceed $50,000, will have to come from someone else. Many times, if you are not at fault for the accident, it will come from the other party involved. 

Now, what happens if you are at fault for the accident and the damages exceed the amount of money paid by the insurance companies? Sometimes, more than one party can be held legally and financially responsible for an accident. In many such cases, the different defendants may be said to be “jointly and severally” liable for the whole amount of damages. When proving that you were not the sole cause of the accident, it is best to hire an attorney. 

Protecting Yourself

Up Your Policy 

The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to raise your liability limits. The best liability coverage for most drivers is 100/300/100, which is $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, and $100,000 per accident in property damage liability. You want to have full protection if you cause a significant amount of damage in an at-fault accident. You will also want the highest levels of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and other coverages required by law in your state. 

Get A Lawyer 

If you are found liable for the accident the other driver will usually serve you with a lawsuit and you and your insurer will fight it. The court will then decide how much you owe to the other party. In some cases, you won’t go through a lawsuit if you admit responsibility or don’t want to fight in court.

Nevertheless, it’s important to get yourself a strong attorney to fight against these claims. Even if they can’t completely get rid of the case, they may be able to pull down the costs to meet your liability limits.

Be Vigilant 

While insurance covers far more than car accidents, these seem to be the most common form of injury. You can do your very best to avoid car accidents but it’s always smart to stay vigilant while on the roads. Avoid any unnecessary distractions and always keep your eyes focused on the direction you’re traveling. 

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, call 1-800-411-PAIN and get the help you need! We will refer you to the attorneys that will fight to get you the compensation you deserve and the medical attention you need. If you have been hurt in an accident, call 1-800-411-PAIN, and we will guide you in finding you the best medical and legal professionals.

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