The legal team at Emroch & Kilduff, LLP, has seen it too many times—people who survive a car accident and suddenly realize their insurance coverage is less than adequate. At this point, it is too late to go back and make the right decisions regarding your policies, and you can face extensive and unexpected costs.
Car insurance is not an exciting topic and most people do not want to spend the time and energy to learn about their options. Virginia law requires a minimum amount of coverage in case someone under your policy injures others in an accident, which include:
- $25,000 per injured person
- $50,000 for all people injured per accident
You may feel tempted to save time and money by simply purchasing the above minimum coverage with the minimum premiums and moving on with your life—that is, until you are in a crash.
Though $25,000 and $50,000 may seem like a lot of coverage, in reality, it is not, considering the overwhelming costs of medical care. Serious injuries can easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to treat.
If someone’s medical expenses exceed the costs of your policy, you can face serious financial consequences. That person can file a personal injury lawsuit against you and may hold you personally responsible for any costs that surpass your policy limits. This may jeopardize your assets and property in cases involving severe injuries. Many people also neglect to purchase policies to cover their own injuries and property damage. Trying to save money now can result in hefty medical and mechanic bills down the road.
Learn Your Insurance Options
Trying to skimp on insurance up front often ends up costing you significantly more in the end. Instead, review all of your car insurance options to make the most educated decision using cost-benefit analysis. The following are some insurance policies that can save you thousands of dollars in the event of an accident.
- Bodily injury liability - One of the most commonly ignored policies, this provides additional coverage in case an insured driver injures someone. This prevents you from personal liability for medical costs, which could happen to someone who only carries the minimum liability coverage.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist - If a driver hits you without the necessary car insurance or who has a policy that does not cover your losses, your uninsured/underinsured coverage may kick in and cover your medical bills and other expenses.
- Property damage liability - If you hit another car, your property damage liability policy will cover the costs of fixing that car. This is especially important if you cause severe damage or if you hit an expensive vehicle.
- Comprehensive - Accidents are not the only events that can cause damage to your car. Storms, falling tree limbs, and other unavoidable events can seriously damage your vehicle. Comprehensive insurance will cover such damage.
- Medical payments - If you suffer injuries in a crash, your medical payments coverage will pay your medical expenses up to your policy limits. This is especially important if your health insurance has high deductibles or out-of-pocket costs.
Consult a Virginia Car Accident and Insurance Claim Law Firm Today
People understandably want to save money on monthly insurance payments—but they risk owing far more if an accident happens. If you are uninsured or underinsured, an accident has the potential to ruin you financially. The law office of Emroch & Kilduff, LLP, assists clients with insurance claims and other legal issues stemming from car accidents. If you would like more information, please call (804) 358-1568 or contact us online.
