Does Insurance Cover An Accident If You Are At Fault?

Obtaining a car insurance can be an easy process, especially if you are shopping online because from the comfort of your home or anywhere else, you can research companies and coverages, get a quote and buy your insurance. But before you start the insurance assessment and buying process, there are several questions you should be prepared to answer.

For example:

• The model of your vehicle
• The miles you drive per year
• The state you reside in
• If there have been any gaps in your insurance coverage in the past
• Most importantly, whether there have been any reported accidents, moving violations, etc. in your driving history

If your car is burglarized, vandalized, stolen, damaged by a natural disaster or is involved in a collision with another vehicle following an accident, you will be required to contact your insurance company to make a claim. When you make a claim, you are not only requesting the insurance company to pay for the damages done to your vehicle, but for physical injuries, or property damage as the result of a car accident. It also to help cover medical expenses for you, your passengers or other drivers including pedestrians involved in the accident.

Legal requirements aside, car accidents can be incredibly expensive especially if you are found at fault and if for some reason you do not have adequate levels automobile insurance, you may have to pay the costs of an accident out-of-pocket, which could be anything from damage to other vehicles, damaged property, as well as unexpected medical bills. Other immediate penalties and fines you could face if you don’t have coverage include:

• A few months of license and registration suspension
• A possible sentence of community service
• Having your car towed and impounded
• Hefty fines

While some states are more lenient and do not require motorists to carry liability insurance, you are subject to severe legal penalties depending on your state law and how tightly they are enforced to individuals who drive without insurance. Which is why it’s important to keep in mind both the financial and legal consequences for driving uninsured. You may reside in a no-fault state, which means that no matter who was at fault for the accident, your insurance is responsible for covering your medical costs under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage. Nevertheless, fault is still assigned during an accident and by your insurance company and you are held liable.

Driving without a current car insurance or proof that you meet your state’s legal requirements brings steep and pricey repercussions. Your insurer should provide you with a liability or collision coverage insurance because if you are involved in a car accident and are at fault but don’t have any coverage you will pay for your repairs and what’s worse, the other driver and their carriers will awe you nothing. Car accident laws vary per state, so, consult with a lawyer to get the best advice for your current need.