Florida Auto Insurance Explained
When you’ve been in an accident, you need to know the basics of how insurance works. Both your insurance and the insurance of the other driver in the accident. Although there are variations based on the insurance law in each state, there are certain basic categories of coverages in a typical automobile insurance policy. These types of coverages commonly include general liability coverage (bodily injury and property damage), uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage and med-pay/ PIP coverage.
General Liability Coverage: This type of coverage provides coverage to you, the policyholder, someone driving your car with and anyone else who is an insured under the terms of your policy for liability to others caused by negligently driving your car. And, sometimes, it may cover you while driving someone else’s car. General liability coverage includes coverage for bodily injuries caused to others in an accident that is your fault and coverage for property damage liability (damages caused to another person’s car or other property damaged in an accident that is your fault). This coverage only applies if you or someone else covered by your policy is at fault for an accident. Also, it is important to realize that this coverage only pays others that are harmed by you or another insured under your policy. Again, your liability policy does not pay you—only others to whom you or another insured under your policy negligently cause damages.
Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive coverage pays for damages to your car that are not directly related to your operation, negligent or not negligent, of your car. This pays for damages caused by such things as a tree falling on your car, a flood washing it away or hail making lots of dings. This is just a sampling of some of the types of things covered. Read your policy or talk to your insurance agent or attorney to find out whether you have this coverage and what things are covered and not covered under it.
Collision Coverage: This is coverage that pays for damages to your car when you are at fault for an accident. Collision coverage pays for property damage only, to your car, when you are at fault.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Coverage for treatment of your injuries because of collision with an uninsured person. Underinsured Motorist coverage (UIM) can also be included in an auto policy. This type of coverage comes into play when an at-fault driver has auto liability insurance, but the limit of insurance is inadequate to pay for your damages. It usually makes sense to purchase the same level of this coverage that you have for bodily in-jury liability.
Medical Payments Coverage: This type of coverage is an optional part of auto insurance. This coverage pays reasonable medical expenses if you, members of your family, or any other passengers sustain bodily injuries while riding in your vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. Of course, the insurance company gets to decide what is or isn’t reasonable. But the coverage also applies to you and your family members when you’re riding in another automobile, or if you’re injured as pedestrians by an automobile, so it’s well worth the purchase.
Speak with Our Accident Lawyer in Miami Today!
If you are looking to pursue a car accident injury case and want to discuss your options going forward, contact one of our skilled car accident attorneys today! Don’t allow negligent drivers to cost you money, time, or cause you aggravation. If you were hurt in a car crash, it is smart to connect with a local accident lawyer so that you can obtain vital information on how to begin the process of filing a claim or filing a lawsuit. At Suarez and Montero, our policy is that if you don’t recover compensation, you won’t pay any fees for our services. Not to mention, we also provide free case consultations where we assess the circumstances surrounding your case and give you an objective overview of what steps you can take going forward if you decide to act against the at-fault party. For over 19 years, we have delivered quality legal representation for people who, through no fault of their own, have been injured in all types of motor vehicle accidents. We are available 24/7 to give you a free, no risk case consultation.
We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:
Miami-Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead, Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester.
Broward: Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Weston; and Palm Beach County including Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.
