A fifteen minute call could save you 15 percent (or more) with GEICO. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. You’re in good hands with Allstate. Many of us have purchased automobile insurance from these companies, but what protection does it provide?
Virginia law requires all drivers to provide for a way to pay for injuries or property damage that results from an automobile accident. This can be satisfied by either purchasing car insurance or paying DMV to drive uninsured. If you choose to purchase auto insurance, you must have the following minimum liability coverage: $25,000 for injuries per person per accident; $50,000 for total injuries per accident; and $20,000 for property damage per accident. You must also have matching coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
The following constitute coverages contained in automobile insurance policies: 1) Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability coverage provides protection in the event the driver is responsible for causing injury or death to other people or damage to the property of another; 2) Uninsured Motorist coverage provides bodily injury and property damage protection to you in the event you are in accident cause by an uninsured or “hit and run” motorist; 3) Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you in the event you are injured by a driver whose liability limits are
not high enough to cover your damages; 4) Collision coverage pays for repair or replacement of physical damages to your auto regardless of who is at fault; 5) Medical Expense Benefits pays all reasonable and necessary medical and funeral expenses for you or others injured or killed in an accident while riding or driving in your vehicle; 6) Loss of Income Benefits Coverage pays your, your family or others in your car for loss of income up to $100 per week for a period not exceeding 52 weeks; and 7) Transportation Expenses reimburse you for the expense of renting a substitute vehicle if yours is not usable for more than 24 hours.
When an individual is injured in an accident due to the negligence of another, uninsured/underinsured coverages, med pay benefits, loss of income benefits, and transportation expense coverage often come to the forefront providing additional protection to the injured party through financial assistance. By understanding the importance of these coverages, one can make sure that they are appropriately protected in the unfortunate event of an automobile accident.