HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY
BEFORE YOU ARE INJURED IN AN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT

You probably know that when you are injured in an automobile accident you may have the right to file a claim or lawsuit against the driver.  But do you know what happens if that driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to pay you for all your injuries and damages?  What happens if you are injured as a pedestrian or in a hit and run collision? Did you know that you can easily protect yourself and your family from these situations if you act before you are injured? 

To be protected you need to have the right
motor vehicle insurance coverages and limits.

3 Simple Steps To Make Sure You And Your Family Are Protected

Step 1: Find your auto insurance policy’s “Coverage Selections Page”
(also called a “Declarations Page”).
If you can’t locate it, ask your insurance agent to fax you a copy.

Step 2:  Check the Coverages and Limits.  
You need to have these 4 coverage parts and the right limits for each part:

         Part 3   - Bodily Injury Caused By An Uninsured Auto
         Part 5   - Optional Bodily Injury To Others
         Part 12 - Bodily Injury Caused By An Underinsured Auto
         Part 6   - Medical Payments

Here are the (4) parts you need and why:

(1) Part 3 - Bodily Injury Caused By An Uninsured Auto
Referred to as "Uninsured Motorist" coverage, this insurance allows you to recover for lost wages and your loss of the ability to earn wages, and for pain and suffering when you are injured by a vehicle that does not have insurance, or by an unidentified vehicle or in a "hit and run" accident.

Recommended coverage limits: $250,000/500,000 or $100,000/300,000.

(2) Part 5 - Optional Bodily Injury To Others
This coverage limit has to match the limits for Uninsured Auto (Part 3) and Underinsured Auto (Part 12).

Recommended coverage limits: $250,000/500,000 or $100,000/300,000.

(3) Part 12 - Bodily Injury Caused By An Underinsured Auto
Referred to as "Underinsured Motorist" coverage, this part allows you to recover lost wages and for your loss of ability to earn wages, and for pain and suffering when the vehicle that caused the collision does not have enough insurance to pay you for all your damages. 

Recommended coverage limits: $250,000/$500,000 or $100,000/300,000. 

NOTE: You must have more than the minimum limits of $20,000/40,000 (per person/per accident) for Parts 3, 5, and 12.

(4) Part 6 - Medical Payments
Even if you have health insurance, this inexpensive coverage provides you with money to repay liens and to receive treatment outside of your health insurance plan. If you have a motorcycle then you especially need this coverage.  By paying medical expenses through this coverage you may also receive additional money for lost earnings before a case is resolved.

Recommended coverage limits: $10,000 or 25,000.

Step 3:  Buy the right coverages and limits of insurance.   
When you are injured in a motor vehicle accident having the right coverages and limits would provide you and your family with many thousands of dollars of compensation.  The process is simple and can be done in one telephone call at any time; you do not need to wait to renew your policy at the end of the year.  Buying the right coverages and limits to protect yourself and your family will likely add about $400 to $500 per vehicle to your premium depending on the age and model of your vehicle and other factors - but it is important insurance to have.  An insurance agent can give you an exact quote.

Don’t wait until you are injured in a motor vehicle accident to find out whether you are fully protected.  Please call me at 617-227-1888 or email me directly at scott@goldberglawfirm.net for a free consultation to make sure you have the necessary auto insurance coverages and limits.