For many things in life, you and other California residents likely have a set-it-and-forget-it attitude. For example, you know that you need to have automobile insurance, but you may not think about it much beyond paying your premiums when they come due. However, if you do not understand your insurance coverage, you could end up in a difficult predicament if you have a car accident.
Though it may not seem fun to review your car insurance policy, it does not have to take an extended amount of time to do so. You can likely find your policy in an online account with your insurance provider or in hardcopy form that the insurance company sent you in the mail.
What should you look over?
The first thing that pops into your mind to check when it comes to your coverage is likely the amount you are paying. Certainly, you do not want to pay too much for coverage, but other details are important to consider because they can have a significant impact on you as well. For instance, you may want to review your liability limits. While meeting the state minimum is a requirement, you may consider increasing your limit.
By having more personal liability coverage, your insurance company will pay more of the damages caused by an accident in which authorities deemed you at fault. This coverage can help with injuries, pain and suffering, and other claims made by injured parties. In addition to liability coverage, you may want to assess:
- Available discounts
- Drivers included or excluded from your policy
- Your policy’s declarations page
- Medical coverage
You may also want to look into uninsured motorist coverage, which can help in the event that someone without insurance or without enough insurance causes an accident that leaves you with property damage and injuries.
A vital aspect of a case
If you have suffered serious injuries in a car accident caused by another person, understanding your insurance and the coverage of the party considered at fault could play a vital role in any personal injury claims you choose to pursue. As a result, you may want to go over these details with your legal counsel to determine how they could affect your case. Hopefully, your insurance coverage will help protect you even if another driver has not taken proper insurance precautions.
