For many years, we have successfully represented people in actions against their own automobile insurance company. Generally, your automobile insurance policy will have four types of coverage:
- Liability Coverage – a coverage which protects you if you have caused an accident and you have injured property or another party. In general, this coverage means the insurance company must take steps to promptly settle any claim against you.
- Medical Payment Coverage – a coverage which pays for medical bills in the event you or your passengers are injured in an automobile accident. Basically, this coverage means the insurance company must promptly pay for your medical bills.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage – a coverage which protects you and your passenger if you or your passenger is injured in an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance or too little insurance. Generally, this coverage means the insurance company must take steps to promptly pay you for damages caused by the driver who has no insurance or too little insurance.
- Collision/Comprehensive Coverage – a coverage which insures your car in the event it is damaged in accident or stolen by a thief. Essentially, this coverage means the insurance company must promptly pay you for the damage to your car or for the value of your car if the car is totaled or stolen.
It is important to understand that when you buy automobile insurance, you select certain monetary limits for your coverages. Those monetary limits are known as policy limits. As a general rule, the insurance company is only responsible for paying the damages up to your policy limits.
Good Faith and Fair Dealing
Regardless of the type of automobile insurance coverage involved, your insurance company owes you a duty of good faith and fair dealing. It must assist you with your claim meaning:
- When you file a claim, the insurance company must explain to you what your insurance benefits are
- When the insurance company pays the claim, it must tell you why it is paying the claim
- When the insurance company denies your claim, it must tell you why it is not paying your claim
The insurance claims process is not intended to be adversarial. If you feel you are being treated unfairly by your insurance company, please contact us.