What you need to know about auto insurance

People often assume that their auto insurance (and any other insurer whom may be responsible to pay) will help them through an accident claim. Unfortunately, you cannot rely on your insurance company to have your best interests at heart. Each insurance company is looking out for themselves. Your insurance company will spend hundreds of hours if necessary in an effort to reduce the amount of money they need to pay an injured party. 

If you have been injured in a car accident, consult an experienced auto accident attorney  immediately, particularly if you have multiple insurance policies that may be responsible for your injuries.  In many cases, more than one insurance company is involved in processing your claim - whether because you were able to make a claim against the other driver, or you not only have car insurance but medical/health insurance as well.

Uninsured motorist policy coverage

Despite having little or no coverage, you will face uninsured/underinsured drivers every day on the road. Illinois law requires your auto insurance policy to include some uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, but the minimum required amount may be wholly inadequate for your situation.  Your insurance agent, in an effort to underbid the competition, may fail to fully inform you of the benefits involved in this important coverage. As a result, this is one of the coverage that is commonly inadequate (and often misunderstood). 

Inadequate Coverage & UnderInsured Motorists 

You cannot count on the person who hit you to have "full" coverage or adequate insurance.  They may have the bare minimum in coverage to be "legal" to drive - which means they do not have medical coverage and/or a very low coverage limit.  They may have coverage with a substandard insurance company, who is prone to deny all claims or undervalue all claims.  In these cases, you may have an "under-insured motorist" claim. 

Medical Coverage - Do not assume Your Insurance Company is Acting in Your Best Interest.  

You cannot assume that the insurance company is acting in your best interests and will pay for the treatment you need.  Assuming you have the right coverage, you probably have limits for medical payments. Also, if you have health insurance, getting payment for medical treatment is complex and often the health care provider will refuse medical coverage, health insurance or both and wait to get paid (and may put a lien on your claim). 

Without proper representation, it is not uncommon for a settlement offer to leave you with nothing if your medical bills and other expenses would exceed the defendant’s policy limits (or their insurer's offer).  An experienced auto accident attorney like Michael D. Mannis will help you understand the complicated relationship between your medical coverage, payments and possible liens when evaluating a settlement offer.  A skilled Chicago car accident lawyer will know how to review your policies and identify what coverage you have, its limits and exclusions, and who is responsible for payment. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you will know how to contact, and can help you coordinate, medical treatment.

Contact the respected Illinois auto accident attorney at Mannis & Associates at (888) 646-9632 today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your auto accident insurance claim.

ILLINOIS PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS