Archive for the ‘Automobile Insurance’ Category

When people are in a car wreck in Nashville, they often have made a mistake before their accident happened. The first mistake most people make with is  - they don’t have enough insurance.   I often hear someone say “I’ve got full coverage” without realizing that means nothing about “how much” is available if they really need it.

The minimum limits for liability insurance in Tennesseee are $25,000 (the amount most people have when they think they have “full coverage”).  That was a goodly amount – in 1940.  Now that will barely pay for  a visit to the ER and some testing.  In Canada the minimum limits are $1 million, enough to cover all but the most catastrophic losses. In Tennessee, you are likely to be left holding the bag unless you have purchased enough insurance to protect yourself.

Recommended Policy Limits

The policy limit of your coverage is the amount the insurance company can owe for a loss. The amount paid by the insurance company cannot exceed than the limits of your policy. Given the risk of serious injury, and the costs of medical care we recommend that everyone carry the following minimal limits (more if you can afford it):

Property Damage $20,000

Bodily Injury $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident

Medical Payments $10,000

Uninsured and $100,000 per person

Underinsured Coverage $300,000 per accident

If you can get more insurance, get it!

I was in a car wreck in Murfreesboro – what if the other driver is at fault and has no insurance?

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, then your insurance company will cover it as if it was the guilty driver’s insurance company. The insurance company only has to pay amounts up to the policy limits you purchased.

My car isn’t driveable after being in a collision in Brentwood, Will my policy pay for a rental car?

Typically, car rental fees are paid for the period between the accident and repair, or until such time as the vehicle is appraised as a total loss. Once the insurance company makes an offer on a vehicle that has been totaled, they will cutoff reimbursement for any rental. Insurance adjusters will usually offer to pay only the least expensive rates available for rental.

I was involved in a 3 car crash on I-40 if my car is totaled, will my insurance coverage pay off my car note?

Not necessarily, the coverage will be for the actual cash value of the car, not the amount you owe. The actual cash value refers to the cost of replacing your damaged vehicle with one similar in condition and mileage.  Certain conditions of the car like previous damage, tired wear, and mileage are all considered when determining the cash value. If your car has been financed, the actual value may be much less than the money owed.

If you or anyone you know has been killed or suffered a personal injury in Tennessee, please contact Nashville personal injury attorney Phillip Miller and the Tennessee personal injury attorneys at Phillip Miller and Associates at (615) 356-2000, or contact our office online here.

One last thing: If you are hurt and have any questions at all, contact our office at (615) 356-2000. Don’t delay. Cases involving personal injury or death in Tennessee must be acted on quickly. Time is running. Call for an appointment, if it’s bad enough that you need to read this far into a website blog, it’s bad enough to get an attorney involved.

What is the meaning of “subrogation” when applied to my automobile insurance?

When your insurance company pays you for a loss caused by another driver may recover the full amount of their payments made from that other party. If the insurance company pays you, you will be required to cooperate with them as they sue the other party. You will have to repay your insurance company any amounts they have paid you if your claim is successful.

Will use of my car in a car pool be covered?

As long as the car pool is not intended as a business operated for profit, insurance protection is not affected.  If you use your car in a typical share-the-ride pool where everyone takes turns driving, or if one person drives all the time and only collects for expenses from the passengers, his or her policy provides regular coverage.  However, car-pooling results in an increased number of passengers in the car, so you should consider increasing your liability limits.

What happens if I’m in an automobile accident and don’t have any insurance?

Tennessee does not require that drivers have insurance, but does require that they be financially responsible for any accidents in which they are at fault.   If a driver without insurance is at fault, that driver must post a bond to protect the injured party or have his driver’s license revoked.   The process of revoking a driver’s license is involved, but anyone can call the Tennessee Department of Safety, Financial Responsibility Section for more information (615/741-5668).

If you or anyone you know has been killed or suffered a personal injury in Tennessee,  contact Nashville personal injury attorney Phillip Miller and the Tennessee personal injury attorneys at Phillip Miller and Associates at (615) 356-2000, or contact our office online here.

One last thing: If you have a question about your coverage, don’t rely on a blog like this, or any other internet site for an answer to a legal question. Every situation is different and this information may not accurately reflect your best choices.

Will I be covered if involved in an automobile accident while driving someone else’s car?

If the car and owner are uninsured, your policy would apply as long as you had permission to be driving the car. If the owner of the car has coverage, then your responsibility for injuries and damages to other automobiles and their drivers will generally be covered by the insurance company that insures that car and owner.

Can my son or daughter, covered under my policy drive someone else’s car and still be covered by my policy?

Yes, but the policy associated with that car or vehicle is primary and your coverage may not be involved.  As long as he or she has permission to drive the vehicle then they will be covered by that car’s policy. If there is a discrepancy or issue about permission to drive the car then your coverage would apply.

What should I do if I have an automobile or motorcycle accident?

You should immediately report it to the police and your insurance company, no matter how slight or minor the incident is. Both parties involved should receive from each other the name, addresses, license number, plate number, insurer, date and time of accident and the names and addresses of any witnesses. Make sure to notify your insurance company before you authorize repairs to your car.

If you or anyone you know has been killed or suffered a personal injury in Tennessee, please contact Nashville personal injury attorney Phillip Miller and the Tennessee personal injury attorneys at Phillip Miller and Associates at (615) 356-2000, or contact our office online here.

If you have a question about your coverage, don’t rely on a blog like this, or any other internet site for an answer to a legal question. Every situation is different and this information may not accurately reflect your best choices.

One last thing: If you are hurt and have any questions at all, contact our office at (615) 356-2000. Don’t delay. Cases involving personal injury or death in Tennessee must be acted on quickly. Time is running. Call for an appointment, if it’s bad enough that you need to read this far into a website blog, it’s bad enough to get an attorney involved.