Check Your Auto Insurance Policy Now! SUM & UM Coverage & What it Means to You

Scenario: You are injured in a car accident and miss months of work. Your bills are mounting and you are getting “past due” notices from your credit card company and others. You’ve managed to pay your mortgage each month but worry that you will miss next month’s mortgage payment. You called your attorney and he again explains that he recovered the maximum from the other party’s insurance company, $25,000. This small amount, minus fees and other costs is not nearly enough.

Unfortunately, this is the reality for many auto accident victims. One moment life is business as usual, and the next things seem hopeless. Perhaps the saddest part of this story is that this can often be avoided. Please read on and be sure to check your auto insurance policy TODAY for the coverage detailed below.

Under New York Insurance Law § 3420(f)(1), motorists are required to minimally carry $25,000 of liability coverage. As you can imagine, this coverage is often inadequate, leaving the injured party in financial peril.

Supplemental Underinsured Motorist (SUM) and Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance is coverage for YOU in case the at-fault party has inadequate coverage, or no coverage at all. Once you have exhausted the at-fault party’s insurance, your own SUM or UM coverage can pay the difference up to the policy limit.

For example, if the at-fault party has the New York State minimum of $25,000 liability coverage, and you have $100,000 in SUM coverage, YOUR insurance policy may pay up to $75,000 – the amount above the at fault party’s policy up to your coverage amount.

SUM and UM coverage serves to protect you from situations that are otherwise out of your control. This coverage is usually very inexpensive and easy to add to your existing. You owe it to yourself and your family to take a moment and check your policy now.

If you would like a free review and evaluation of your auto insurance policy please contact us now.

If you or a loved one has been injured please call 516.224.4774 for a free consultation and case evaluation. Please visit www.johncocolaw.com for more information about our firm.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING – Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Hiring an attorney is an important decision which should not be based solely on advertising. The information you obtain on this post is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. The information on this post is not guaranteed to be accurate or current. Do not rely upon it. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.

In an Auto Accident? Dealing With Your Insurance Company After an Accident

Rarely a day goes by without seeing an auto accident on the side of the road. If you are in an auto accident you obviously want to exercise your rights to the fullest. However, when dealing with your insurance company you may question if they are working for you or for themselves.

Insurance companies are businesses that need to be profitable. Therefore, they will seek to pay you as little as possible to settle your claim. Your insurance company will undoubtedly keep records of your conversations with them. The information you tell them can later be used against you to deny or pay less on your claim.

When dealing with your insurance company remember these easy tips to help protect your rights.

1 – Be Truthful

Always be honest with your insurance company regarding the details of your accident. Be truthful, but don’t downplay your injuries or conclude that certain injuries are unrelated to the accident and will just go away.

2 – Be Thorough

When speaking with your insurance company describe your injuries from the head down. Begin with head or face injuries and then your neck, shoulders, and all the way down to your feet. This ensures that you won’t miss anything.

Again, don’t disregard minor pain. It’s common for injuries to manifest days after an accident. You won’t be penalized if you mention an injury that subsequently subsides.

3 – Do Not Post Details on Social Media!

Please, do not post any details about your accident on social media. Even if your profiles are private, do not post. You may think you are just letting friends know you’re OK but a seemingly innocuous post can later hurt your case.

4 – Call An Attorney

Most attorneys will provide a free consultation for a personal injury. It doesn’t hurt to call and get an attorney’s opinion. Also, an experienced attorney can advise you of any possible deadlines you must meet in order to bring a case.

If you or a loved one has been injured please call 516.224.4774 for a free consultation and case evaluation. Please visit www.johncocolaw.com for more information about our firm.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING – Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Hiring an attorney is an important decision which should not be based solely on advertising. The information you obtain on this post is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. The information on this post is not guaranteed to be accurate or current. Do not rely upon it. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.