It is important to know the types of automobile insurance coverage available to you protect you. Insurance is important because it not only insulates you when you are at fault in an accident, but it also protects you when you have been injured by someone crashing into your vehicle. Navigating insurance law can be tricky. And dealing with insurance company adjusters and lawyers can be even trickier.
Automobile insurance protects you financially by paying the other driver’s car repair and medical bills if you cause an accident. Texas law requires you to have liability coverage. If you still owe money on your car, your lender will require you to have collision and comprehensive coverage.
Types of auto coverages
- Liability coverage pays to repair the other driver’s car if you caused the accident. It also pays the other driver’s and his or her passenger’s medical bills and some other expenses. Texas law requires you to have at least $30,000 of coverage for injuries per person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for property damage. This is called 30/60/25 coverage.
Think about buying more liability coverage.
The minimum liability limits might be too low if you cause a multi-vehicle accident or the other driver’s car is totaled. If you don’t have enough liability coverage to pay for the damages and injuries you cause, you might have to pay the rest out of your own pocket. The other driver could sue you.
- Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car after an accident.
- Comprehensive (other than collision) coverage pays if your car is stolen or damaged by fire, flood, vandalism or something other than a collision.
- Medical payments coverage pays your and your passengers’ medical bills. It also pays if you’re hurt while riding in someone else’s car or while walking or biking.
- Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is similar to medical payments coverage. It pays your and your passengers’ medical bills. But it also pays for things like lost wages and other nonmedical costs. All auto policies in Texas include PIP coverage. If you don’t want it, you must tell the company in writing.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays if you’re hit by someone who didn’t have insurance or didn’t have enough to pay your medical and car repair bills. It also pays if you’re in a hit-and-run accident. Insurance companies must offer you this coverage. If you don’t want it, you must tell the company in writing.
- Towing and labor coverage pays to tow your car if it can’t be driven. It also pays for labor to change a flat tire or jump-start your battery.
- Rental reimbursement coverage pays for you to rent a car if yours is stolen or being repaired after an accident. Some policies also pay for taxis or ride-hailing services.
Abuse by Insurance Companies in Texas
Sometimes, the insurance company will not take the appropriate steps to properly resolve your claim. I have personally witnessed these tactics from insurance companies. This type of bad faith insurance abuse takes many forms, including:
- Making slow, late or incorrect payments
- Denying valid claims (this is the most common one I have seen)
- Canceling policies or refusing renewals
- Denying of necessary medical treatment
- Lying about policy coverage
- Offering substantially reduced payments which still require you to pay out of pocket.
Contacting a lawyer with a proven track record in dealing with insurance companies if vital. As your personal injury lawyer I can assist you with obtain compensation for:
- Lost Wages & Lost Wage Earning Capacity
- Pain & Suffering
- Mental Anguish/Emotional Distress
- Medical Expenses
- Scarring & Disfigurement
Spouses also have the right to file claims based on the following:
- Loss of Consortium
- Loss of Household Services
- Loss of Spousal Support
- Loss of Inheritance
- Wrongful Death
If you have been injured in an auto accident, all McAllen personal injury attorney Johnathan Ball immediately. 956–501–6565
