Insufficient Insurance Coverage in an Auto Accident

While you might be a responsible driver who carries adequate auto insurance coverage, other drivers may not be as conscientious. Many drivers are under-insured, and despite PA laws that mandate minimum liability coverage, some drivers carry no insurance at all.

Motorists sometimes choose not to carry insurance for many different reasons. Some allow their policies to lapse while others do not want to pay the premiums. Some simply do not want to go through the process of securing insurance while others underestimate the costs of a traffic accident. Certain drivers in Pennsylvania and other states are not permitted on the road at all. Their license may be revoked or they may be driving without a license and thus do not qualify for coverage. These drivers could be putting themselves and other motorists at risk.

Other Remedies May Be Available

It is unfortunate that this situation can sometimes occur following an auto accident. You are in a car accident and exchange contact and insurance information, only to discover there is insufficient auto insurance coverage to pay for car repairs, medical costs and other damages you have suffered.

Insufficient insurance coverage can have other devastating effects, too. Someone who is uninsured or who has minimal insurance coverage and is worried about rising premiums may leave the scene of a crash. While hit-and-runs are illegal, drivers who do engage in this behavior often have something to hide. Sometimes what they are trying to hide is the fact that they are driving without insurance or other necessary paperwork.

However, there are a variety of potential legal avenues we at KBG Injury Law pursue to make certain that our clients are not under-compensated in an underinsured insurance claim. For example, even though the liability insurance that is primarily responsible for your losses may have inadequate funds to compensate you, there are a number of circumstances in which we are able to tap into insurance known as excess, or umbrella, coverage so that the available funds for your compensation are expanded.

We’ll Review Your Auto Policy to Help You Maximize Your Insurance Coverage

Our job is to ensure that there are adequate funds available to cover your losses. If the at-fault party is uninsured or under-insured, the most common sources of funds to cover our clients’ losses are uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage. Those coverages are optional and may be included on your insurance policy. We can review your insurance declaration page to make that determination.

What to Do Before an Accident

One good precautionary measure to take is to review your auto insurance policy now. What protections do you have against underinsured and uninsured drivers? Are you covered in a hit-and-run? How much coverage do you have, and is it enough? Look at typical accident costs in your area. You may be surprised to find even basic tests in an emergency room can add up to thousands of dollars.

Get the most robust coverage possible. You can still keep premiums reasonable by comparison shopping and choosing your coverage carefully. Make sure you have underinsured- and uninsured-motorist coverage on your policy, and remember to review your insurance often. As your driving habits and life circumstances change, your insurance needs will change as well. Regular review and updates of your policies ensure they are more likely to protect you in the event of a collision.

Contact KBG Injury Law for a Free Consultation

If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact us for a free consultation. Our knowledgeable auto accident attorneys will assess the situation and determine the best course of action for getting the results you deserve.

If you have been in a car accident and are worried about how much insurance covers, contact KBG Injury Law for a free consultation. Many of our auto accident attorneys worked for years in the insurance sector before joining our team. They fully comprehend insurance. We will help you understand how much you can expect to recover, and we will review any legal options available for maximizing your recovery.

Our team understands the time after a collision is highly stressful, and we work hard to ensure you have the support you need to move forward with the healing process. We work to protect your rights and recover damages for you so you have the financial resources to pay for needed care.