When was the last time that you reviewed your car insurance policy to make sure it provides you with the coverage that you really need? Do you really understand what risks your policy is covering you and your family for? Do you feel secure because your agent or broker told you not to worry because you are "fully covered"?
The agent of a good friend of mine told him that recently, but he let me look at his policy just to make sure. When I looked at his policy I explained to him that he was well insured for liability, so if he caused an accident and was sued he was covered up to $250,000.00. However, I told him, this coverage would not protect him if another person caused an accident and seriously injured him or a family member.
For that type of protection he needed Uninsured/Supplementary Uninsured Motorist coverage. By law, every car insurance policy sold in New York comes with $25,000.00 of this coverage, which my friend's policy did. However, you can purchase up to at least $250,000.00 of this coverage. As I explained to my friend, this is exactly what everyone should do to properly protect themselves. This coverage provides protection to you and everyone in your home in the event that they are seriously injured by someone who has a small amount of insurance or none at all. Without this coverage, you are at the mercy of the person that hits you and you have to hope that they have enough insurance to compensate you for your injuries.
The fact is however, that the worst drivers almost always have the least amount of insurance required ($25,000.00), or none at all. So it is very probable that you will not be able to obtain the compensation that you are entitled to from the person that causes your injuries. Therefore you will need to rely upon your Uninsured/Supplementary Uninsured coverage from your policy to compensate you for your injuries. As I explained to my friend, why would you protect other people from your mistake for $250,000.00, and not protect yourself and your family from the mistakes of others for the same amount? Of course, this was not properly explained to him by his broker/agent and he clearly was not "fully covered", but I know for a fact that he is now.
The other benefit of this coverage is that it basically protects everyone living in your home no matter where they are when then are injured, they do not need to be just in the family car. The coverage is like a shadow that provides this layer of protection if they are in a friend's car, on a bus, riding a bicycle, while walking, etc. It is definitely one of the single best ways to provide protection to your family, and you will be surprised how affordable it is. You should purchase the most coverage that your budget will permit, I recommend at least obtaining $250,000.00.
I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have about your car insurance policy, as well as review your policy (for free), which you can simply email or fax to me. A sample policy with my coverage suggestions is also available on my website at www.northshoreinjurylawyer.com, you can review it or print it out before you call your insurance company. I do not sell insurance or work with any agents or brokers. I have seen too many people with serious injuries end up with only $25,000.00, because they were not aware of this coverage, and I feel everyone would have this coverage if it was just explained properly to them. So please, review your policy and add this coverage today. I hope that you never need to rely upon it, but it is good to know it is there if you need it. Keep it safe out there.
Mark T. Freeley, Esq.- www.northshoreinjurylawyer.com
