In a previous article, we provided an overview on the different types of insurance coverage you may be entitled to under Uninsured/Underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage in Wisconsin.
To quickly recap, UM/UIM motorist coverage is a type of car insurance policy that protects individuals who were recently injured, and/or experienced car damage, that was the fault of an uninsured driver. Under this policy, you may also receive coverage if the driver who is at fault has liability insurance but not enough to cover the damages of the accident.
Types of Car Insurance Policies
If you carry motorist insurance, you might wonder what the different types of policies in your plan mean. Or you may wonder what they will cover in the event of a motor vehicle accident. Different states, for example, require different policy requirements, such as minimum dollar amounts for coverage. Therefore, it’s important to understand whether something is, or isn’t covered, so you know what to do next.
Since we already discussed what UM/UIM is, let’s define the 4 other types of car insurance coverages:
Liability (Bodily Injury) Insurance Coverage
This type of insurance coverage is required by Wisconsin law and is intended to cover the damages incurred by the other party(s) from a crash you cause.
Minimum insurance limits for liability policies are $25,000 per person or $50,000 per occurrence for injury and death and an additional $10,000 for property damage coverage. Higher limits can also be purchased. Some drivers additionally elect to purchase “umbrella” policies, which provide extra liability coverage, protecting the driver and their assets from major lawsuits stemming from an accident they caused.
Umbrella coverage will not be applied to a UM/UIM policy.
Medical Payment Coverage
This type of insurance is intended to cover your own medical costs after an accident. This coverage applies regardless of whether or not you were at fault. While not required, it is a tremendous asset to have. Medical pay has no deductibles or co-pays and can be used for treatment your health insurer may not cover.
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive insurance covers damage done to one’s vehicle unrelated to an automobile accident. Fire, hail, theft and vandalism are examples of such events covered under these insurance policies.
Collision Insurance
These types of polices cover damages done to your vehicle in an automobile accident—regardless of who was at fault.
Have questions about your car insurance policy? Or want to change minimum coverage options? Be sure to contact your insurance provider and speak to a representative! This is especially important if you have recently moved states, but you still use the same insurance carrier!
Hurt in a Car Accident?
Did you recently sustain personal injuries in a car accident? We encourage you to contact the experienced attorneys at Doar, Drill & Skow.
We understand that success in car accident claims comes from careful investigation, hard work and strong advocacy. We will determine how the car accident happened and who was responsible.
To learn more about our services, contact us today for a consultation.
DISCLAIMER: The Doar, Drill, and Skow blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported may come from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these types of situations choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.