Protect Yourself in a Car Accident Before the Accident Occurs

 One of the best ways to protect yourself in a car accident is to choose proper auto insurance policy.  First, get the idea of “full coverage” out of your head because there is no such thing. What people generally believe to be “full coverage” only means the insurance policy contains the required liability coverage, comprehensive and collision coverage- nothing more.
Is there more to insurance policies?  Yes.  Consider this – you purchase the required liability coverage.  Then, one day you are crossing an intersection and an uninsured driver runs a red light and totals your band new car.  In the process, you are injured.
Do you have rental coverage while you wait for the insurance company to pay for your car?  Not unless you add that coverage to the policy.  How about towing charges?  Not unless you add that coverage to the policy.
If you were financing your vehicle, the value of your car (the amount you may recover for your car) would not be enough to pay off the loan on the car. So, who is responsible for making up the difference?  You, unless you have “gap coverage”.
If you have no health insurance, who would be responsible for paying your medical treatment (emergency room, surgery, chiropractic, or physical therapy)?  You, unless you have “medical payment coverage”.  So, how do you protect yourself?
1. Never buy insurance online.  Always speak with an agent and ask about the policy coverages.
2. Make sure that your policy covers rental and towing charges.
3. Ask about Medical Payment coverage, generally referred to as Medpay or PIP.  Under this coverage, you can use your auto policy (up to the policy limit for Medpay) to pay for reasonable medical expenses for you and your passengers.
4. Ask about uninsured coverage.  Under this coverage, you are covered for medical bills and potentially pain and suffering if the other driver has no insurance or has an insufficient amount of insurance.
5. Ask about gap coverage.  So, if you are financing your automobile and the payout value is less than what you owe on the car, then your policy will pay for the difference.
So, protect yourself in a car accident by purchasing proper coverage from a reputable insurance agent.
For more information, please call The Mason Law Firm at 661-476-5678 or email mason@mrscvlaw.com.