The Secrets Your Auto Insurance Company doesn’t Want you to Know

Many drivers are able to rely on their good faith and won’t expect to have to sue their insurance company to recover damages for an accident. Most drivers want their car fixed and their medical bills paid.

Michigan Auto Law’s auto insurance lawyers deal daily with car insurance companies that abuse their customers and cut off their benefits without notice or explanation. Insurance companies may also place people “under investigation”, which is used to stop payment of medical bills or wage loss. Their insurance adjusters are threatening, intimidating, and sometimes lying to people.

These are some of the common strategies used by auto insurance companies to minimize or avoid paying customers. These suggestions will help you to protect yourself and avoid problems with your auto insurer.

1. Your policy’s fine print contains many restrictions and limitations.

It is difficult to understand and read the fine print in auto insurance policies. Many people are unaware of the important filing requirements in their auto insurance policies, which can lead to them losing out on valuable benefits. Auto accident lawyers have seen this happen far too often. Many auto policies require that you notify your insurer within 30 days of a hit-and-run accident. Many contracts include separate conditions regarding coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorists. These require prompt notice. Insurance carriers have the ability to change their policy filing requirements at anytime. If victims of car accidents fail to respond to notification requirements promptly, they may lose their coverage.

How can you protect yourself?

After any accident, notify your insurance company immediately. You should have your entire auto insurance policy. This includes any notifications of coverage changes from one year to the next. You may also receive pamphlets and notes with your renewal statement, which can reflect any policy changes. Policies usually include exclusions and conditions as well as insuring agreements, declarations, conditions, and insuring agreements.

You should also check your insurance policies to see if there are any benefits that may be covered by your health or disability insurance. Also, review any additional coverage such as uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Understanding insurance policies is a great way to ensure that your health care provider bills you correctly if you are receiving ongoing medical treatment for injuries sustained in a car accident.
Do not hesitate to ask a lawyer specializing in auto accidents for advice or guidance if you have any questions about your auto insurance policy.

2. Agents of insurance don’t always suggest the best coverage.

Following a car accident, there can be numerous issues and challenges navigating health insurance plans, managed care plans, retirement plans such as ERISA, and coordinated/uncoordinated policies. Insurance agents might not mention important coverage options or applicable discounts because of payout losses, lower premiums, or reduced commissions.

People often choose to have more insurance coverage in order to avoid being personally responsible for any car accidents. Some people pay only the minimum premium to renew their license plates each year and let their auto insurance lapse. Without an uninsured/underinsured motorist policy, a driver or family members severely injured by an uninsured motorist will have no source of legal recovery for their injuries other than filing a lawsuit against the uninsured driver for his or her personal assets. The majority of people don’t have enough personal net worth to pay for someone who has been seriously injured.

How can you protect yourself?

An experienced lawyer can help you determine which insurance coverage is required and what will be the cost of medical bills if you are hurt in an auto accident.

Uncoordinated coverage, or primary coverage, is safer if you have ERISA insurance. In the event of an accident, an insured person may not be able to recover any pain or suffering from their ERISA or coordinated insurance.

Check your insurance policy for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. Contact your insurance company to request this coverage – it is inexpensive and highly recommended to protect yourself and your family.

Your auto insurance premiums can be lowered by raising your deductible to $500 or more. You might consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage for older cars. If the value of your car is less than 10x the premium, you can eliminate these coverages, unless you still owe money on the car. For low mileage discounts, contact your insurer if you have a reduction in the miles you drive each year.