Is Auto Liability Insurance Enough?

Auto liability insurance is designed to cover the cost of damage to another person’s vehicle due to an accident which was your fault. It also covers medical costs for those traveling in the other vehicle. However, auto liability insurance includes limits on how much is paid out. These limits affect how much is paid towards vehicle damage, medical costs per person, and medical costs per accident. As such, it is important to make sure that your limits are set high enough to cover you for a vehicle carrying multiple passengers. At the very least, you must take out auto liability insurance as it is mandatory in all states.

Auto Liability Only

If you take out auto liability as a standalone policy, you are only covered for damages to the other vehicle or persons. So, if you get into an accident and only have auto liability insurance, you will have to pay out of your own pocket for repairs to your vehicle. You may also have to foot the bill for any medical treatment you need; however, that is where things start to become complicated. The only other option you really have is using your health insurance policy to help cover your medical costs. The problem with that is, using health insurance for motor vehicle accidents is usually employed after you have hit your personal injury limit on your auto insurance. You will still have to pay your deductible amount, charges not included in your coverage, and any co-payments that are required.

Additional Coverage Options

Taking out collision coverage, combined with personal injury coverage, will help you cover the cost of damage to your vehicle as well as helping with medical bills. Collision coverage insures you for damage to both your own and the other vehicle involved in an accident. In the case of the latter, you will not usually see an increase to your rates. Both insurance companies will deal with any payouts without you having to go through the hassle of chasing it up with the other driver. Personal injury insurance covers you for medical costs, regardless of whether or not you were at fault. The amount paid out will depend on the policy, so make sure to compare different policies and ask the insurer about any exemptions.

Full Coverage

Full coverage or fully comprehensive is the best type of auto insurance, as you are covered for damage caused to your vehicle under pretty much any circumstance. Most insurers also include “Acts of God” in fully comprehensive policies, which means you are covered for flood, storms, forest fires, etc. Technically, fully comprehensive is a combination of policies, including collision coverage and liability. Their deductibles and rates are usually higher. However, if you drive an expensive vehicle, full coverage is worth considering. Being underinsured can get you into a tough situation if you get into a crash.

If you have been involved in an accident which you think was your fault, contact Edwards & Patterson Law immediately here. We can gather evidence which could exonerate you and place the onus of paying for damage and injury on the other driver.