The Texas Department of Insurance has a great page entitled Automobile Insurance Made Easy where they describe the 8 automobile insurance basic coverages. It is important to understand these coverages after an accident;
1. Liability (Basic liability coverage meets the state’s financial responsibility requirement.)
2. Collision (damage to your car)
3. Comprehensive (physical damage other than collision)
4. Medical Payments
5. Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
An insurance company must offer you $2,500 in PIP, but you can buy more. If you don’t want PIP, you must reject it in writing.
6. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM UIM)
There are two types of UM UIM coverage:
- Bodily injury UM/UIM pays for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and permanent or partial disability. There is not a deductible with this type.
- Property damage UM/UIM pays for auto repairs, a rental car, and damage to items in your car.
Insurance companies must offer UM/UIM coverage. If you don’t want it, you must reject it in writing.
7. Towing and Labor
8. Rental Reimbursement
It may be even more important to understand what the coverages you are receiving when purchasing your automobile insurance. You do not want to learn after an accident that you would be able to recover you losses if you would have purchased one of the above coverages. We recommend purchasing coverage beyond the state mandated Liability coverage. Personal Injury Protection and Uninsured Underinsured Motorist Coverages are both important coverages to have to help protect yourself and your family. Again, you must reject both of these coverages in writing. Please have your insurance agent explain all of the coverages in detail, but understand the benefits of Personal Injury Protection and Uninsured Underinsured Motorist Coverage before rejecting them. If you are involved in a car accident, there is a good chance that you will wish you had not rejected these coverages.
Please also refer to our personal injury blog and our posts, East Texas Auto Accident Lawyer, Truck Accident Lawyer, Motorcycle Accident Lawyer, Documenting Personal Injury Damages and Motor Vehicle Crash, Now What?
I you have been involved in a car accident and need a Texas attorney, please do not hesitate to give East Texas Attorney, Chris Jones, Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Law, a call at 903-236-4990 for a free initial consultation or send us a message at Contact Us.
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