Have you ever heard the term “full coverage” when reviewing your auto insurance plan with a provider? This term may sound comforting, but the reality is that “full coverage” is technically misused here. When you’re only meeting the bare minimum requirements for auto liability insurance and uninsured & underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, you may be left in a very difficult situation in the event of a car accident – and you may not be able to fully cover any injuries that occur, including your own.
For example, in order to have a legally valid auto insurance plan in Virginia, you must have at least $25,000 in UIM coverage per person and $50,000 for each accident with an uninsured driver. While it only takes a few extra dollars per month to upgrade your UIM coverage to $100,000 in each area, most people never take the time to increase their limits, assuming that this minimum coverage will be enough.
Unfortunately, $25,000 is rarely enough to cover your injuries after a car accident, especially when the other driver does not have appropriate insurance coverage. The same applies for liability insurance limits, which are also set at $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident. Neither amount will be remotely sufficient if you or the other driver suffers a catastrophic and paralyzing injury, and even lighter accident injuries can cost thousands of dollars beyond the minimums.
TAKE THE TIME TO REVIEW YOUR POLICY
The cost of increasing your UIM and liability insurance coverage is small compared to the lifetime of financial troubles you may experience after a serious accident. The same is true when comparing the serious injuries of another person, who may pursue a personal injury claim against you if you were at fault.
At Huffman & Huffman, our accident lawyers encourage you to take a minute and check your coverage. If you can afford to add a few extra dollars per month, it may give you greater peace of mind for the future – and it can save your life and finances after a crash.
Need help with a car accident claim? Call (757) 599-6050 to speak with our experienced legal team today!
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