There are many different types of car insurance available to drivers. What type of insurance you have, and what type of insurance the liable party has, matters when you are involved with a crash. If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic collision, a qualified San Jose personal injury attorney can help you determine which insurance policies apply to your crash and assist you in filing an insurance claim.
California’s Department of Insurance notes every driver must have at least $15,000 worth of coverage for bodily injury or death of one person, $30,000 worth of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 property damage liability coverage to be legally on the roads. This liability coverage pays for damages sustained to another party if the insured individual is considered at-fault for the crash.
It is possible you will get hit by someone who has the minimum state liability insurance or who is driving illegally without insurance at all. If you have an underinsured and uninsured motorist policy, your insurance will help cover your medical bills and potentially some or all of the property damage. All insurances are required to offer this to their policyholders.
Medical payments coverage, often called MedPay, will help pay for immediate costs associated with a crash for both you and your passengers, regardless of who is at-fault for the crash. This is important because it can take months or even years to settle a personal injury claim and in the meantime you may be getting medical bills for your hospital stay or subsequent doctor’s visits. Unlike personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which is not available to Californians, MedPay will not cover costs such as lost wages or home tasks you cannot manage due to injury. As NerdWallet mentions, MedPay is an optional insurance in California. It assists in covering costs that might not be covered by health insurance such as ambulance rides and can help if your injuries exceed your health plan’s limits.
There are other insurance options available to drivers. Comprehensive coverage applies for scenarios outside of your car being in a collision, such as being vandalized, hail damage, or theft. Collision damage is property damage for the car in the event of a collision with another car or even an object such as a tree. It is also possible to buy insurance for parts of the car such as the stereo system or for towing, such as AAA. It is also possible for other insurance policies to apply in severe crashes, such as a person’s umbrella policy.
While insurance companies offer these coverages to protect individuals, they are also in the business of making money and will try to avoid paying out insurance claims. A qualified San Jose personal injury attorney can help you research what policies might apply after your crash and then fight on your behalf for the best compensation possible. Contact the Solution Now Law Firm to schedule a free consultation at your earliest convenience.
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