Last Updated August 28, 2009

INFORMATION ABOUT AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

Automobile insurance, although costly, is a necessary expense to protect you and your loved ones if an accident occurs. Most states require that you have automobile insurance to register your car. Different kinds of coverage are available. Insufficient coverage can be an expensive mistake if you have an accident, since payment by the insurance company is based upon the coverage in effect when the accident occurred.

We hope that the information presented here will help familiarize you with basic automobile insurance issues and terms. While the material below attempts to answer common questions in this area, state and local laws may significantly modify the facts set forth. Because all legal problems are unique, nothing provided here is a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. We strongly urge you to consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your state about any particular legal problem you may have.

WHAT IS LIABILITY COVERAGE?

As a general rule of law in the United States, one who is responsible for causing an accident has to pay the injured person's reasonable damages. The liability coverage portion of your automobile insurance policy protects you from having to personally pay any judgment rendered against you if you are found to be responsible for an automobile accident. The maximum amount your insurance company will pay is determined by how much coverage you originally bought. For example, if you bought $50,000.00 of liability coverage, your carrier would pay up to the $50,000.00 limit to satisfy an out of court settlement or a court ordered judgment. Any judgment above your coverage limit remains your personal responsibility. Usually payment of a claim by an insurance company will result in a surcharge to the policy increasing your premium in future years. However, an insurer cannot increase your premium rates solely because you or one of the insureds under your policy received payment for a claim, unless it is determined that you or the insured was at fault.

WHAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT?

If you are involved in an accident, report the facts to your insurance carrier at once. The carrier will attempt to resolve the claim within the coverage limits of your policy. If a lawsuit is filed against you, your insurance company will provide an attorney to represent you in accordance with the terms of policy.

WHAT IS YOUR "LIMITED TORT" OR "VERBAL THRESHOLD?"

In an effort to reduce insurance costs, many states allow you to purchase policies at lower premiums. However, these policies restrict your right to sue if you are injured in an accident or give you the option of giving up your right to sue in certain circumstances. These policies may be referred to as "verbal thresholds" or "limited tort options." This type of policy generally PROHIBITS you from making a claim for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages unless the accident has resulted in death, dismemberment, permanent disfigurement or serious injury as defined by the courts of your state. For example, if you suffered soft tissue damage in an accident and had chosen a limited tort option, you might only be able to recover your out of pocket expenses but NOTHING for being in excruciating pain for several months. If you choose one of these plans, your choice will generally govern the rights of all members of your household covered under your policy.

Although you may save a little money by choosing a limited tort option, it will restrict your right to recover full compensation in claims for less serious injuries that nevertheless could cause disability, absence from employment and substantially interfere with your enjoyment of life. So be very sure that you understand what it is you are agreeing to give up before you agree to accept a limited tort option on your insurance policy.

WHAT ARE FIRST PARTY BENEFITS?

In insurance parlance, you, the purchaser of automobile insurance are known as the "first party." The "second party" is the insurance company and the "third party" is the other party involved in an accident. The liability coverage discussed above protects you from claims of a third party. Your automobile insurance policy also provides various coverages that protect you. These are known as "first party benefits." Examples of first party benefits are set forth below:

1. UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE (UM & UIM)

Uninsured motorist (abbreviated "UM") and underinsured motorist (usually abbreviated "UIM") are standard state-mandated additions to a basic minimum policy in some states. In other states, you do not have to carry either type of coverage.

Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you are injured by an uninsured driver or in a hit-and-run accident. "UM" coverage does not ordinarily cover property damage claims. The maximum amount you can collect from your insurance company on a "UM" claim is determined by the amount of coverage you bought at the time you purchased the policy.

Underinsured motorist coverage protects you if the liability coverage carried by the third party (the person who caused the accident) is not sufficient to fully compensate you for your injuries. Should your injuries be extremely serious and the policy limits of the third party inadequate, you may then turn to your own "UIM" carrier for additional compensation. A claim for "UIM" benefits is more complicated than a claim for "UM" benefits because many "UIM" insurance contracts contain certain approval clauses which, if not complied with, can result in the loss of benefits. "UIM" coverage, like "UM" insurance, does not ordinarily cover property damage and is limited by the amount of coverage purchased.

2. COLLISION AND COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE

Collision and comprehensive coverage, although purchased together, are separate coverages under your insurance policy. Each coverage carries its own deductible. Collision and comprehensive coverages are not normally required by state law, but may be required by a bank or leasing company if you are financing your car.

Collision coverage provides protection for damage done to your car. If your vehicle is damaged, either in an accident with another person or through your own carelessness.

Your carrier will pay the reasonable cost of the necessary repairs, less the deductible. If the repairs are more than the fair market value of the car, the carrier will pay the fair market value, less the deductible. The deductible is the first $100 or $500 or $1,000 dollars of the repair bill and is your responsibility. You choose the size of the deductible when you purchase the coverage. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium. The carrier will want to either see estimates you obtained for the repairs or may have the car inspected by a mechanic of its choice. If the carrier is going to have the car inspected, it is a good idea to already know the approximate cost of repairs from a body shop of your choice.

If the accident was not your fault and the other driver was insured, your insurance company will try to eventually obtain reimbursement for its payment and your deductible through a process called "Inter-Company Arbitration." When this is concluded, a check for your deductible will be sent to you. However, if the accident was your fault, depending upon how much the carrier paid and the state in which you reside, the insurance company may surcharge your policy and increase your premium.

Consider the following points when deciding whether to buy collision coverage:

1) The current value of your vehicle;
2) The cost of a new vehicle;
3) The amount of the insurance premium.

When purchasing collision coverage, inquire whether your insurance carrier offers Rental Reimbursement coverage. Although this coverage is generally very inexpensive, it pays a lot of your rental bill while your vehicle is being repaired.

Comprehensive coverage provides protection to your vehicle for mishaps other than collision. These may include fire, lightning, theft, vandalism, fallen trees, storms, floods, and sometimes even earthquakes and riots. It may also cover the individual parts of the vehicle such as windshields, tires, hubcaps, antennas, and permanently installed sound systems. All claims, however, are subject to a deductible which may be in a different amount than for your collision coverage.

3. MEDICAL AND WAGE LOSS COVERAGE.

Many states require basic automobile insurance coverage to pay for medical, dental or rehabilitation expenses, wage loss, funeral expenses and/or accidental death benefits arising out or a car accident for you and any passengers in your car. The amount of coverage provided is determined at the time you purchase the insurance, but many states require a specified minimum amount.

HOW DOES AN INSURANCE COMPANY ARRIVE AT THE VALUE OF A "TOTALED" CAR?

Each state sets its own rules on determining the value of a totaled car. Each insurance company must use legislative guidelines of its individual state in order to determine the value of the totaled car. Frequently, the guidelines refer to book values of the vehicles. If that is the case in your state, your attorney can refer you to the "book" that sets the value.

WHAT IS STACKING?

When an automobile insurance policy provides liability, uninsured and/or underinsured motorist coverage for more than one motor vehicle, some carriers in certain states for an additional premium, allow the insured to "stack" the policy limits of coverage. This means that the limits of coverage available to you will equal the sum of the limits for each individual vehicle covered by the policy.

WHAT ARE EXTRAORDINARY BENEFITS?

Carriers in several states offer an additional coverage, sometimes called "extraordinary" benefits, which can be purchased for a relatively nominal annual premium. This coverage

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY INSURANCE LAPSES?

If your insurance lapses and your car is not financed, your driver's license may be suspended. If you financed your car and your insurance lapses, the finance company may be permitted to obtain insurance on your behalf at your expense.

DESSEN, MOSES & ROSSITTO is happy to assist you in any legal matter that involves either Pennsylvania or New Jersey, the two states in which our attorneys routinely practice. If you wish to contact us for more information concerning this field of law or any other in which we practice, please send us an E-mail message and we will be happy to try to assist you.

LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING INFO

Auto Trader
Better Business Bureau OnLine
Carfax Vehicle History Service
Car Trackers
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Insurance Information Institute
Insurance Resources Online
Insurance Terms - Auto, Life, Health and Property

Information found at this Web site is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice or the rendering of a legal opinion. DO NOT assume that anything contained in these Web pages answers your specific legal problem. Each legal situation is unique. You should seek independent legal advice and counsel regarding any specific legal problem you may have.