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What is one of the best ways to protect yourself in a car accident? Believe it or not, it starts before you get into an accident, when you purchase your automobile insurance policy. 

I hear the phrase “I have full coverage” a lot and every time I hear it, I cringe. Why? Because there is no such thing as “full coverage”. What people generally know as “full coverage” to means only includes the required liability coverage, comprehensive and collision coverage. Under this scenario, if you get into an accident, you are protected (up to your policy limit) if the accident is your fault and the other side is injured. But, what happens if you are not at fault and you are the one injured - are you protected? That depends on your policy.

What people believe to be “full coverage” does NOT include car rental coverage, towing charges, medical payment coverage (med pay or PIP), uninsured/underinsured coverage, and/or gap insurance. These are coverages that can and may protect you after a car accident.

Car rental and towing charges

These are self-explanatory. After an accident, you may need to rent a car until your car is repaired, or until the insurance company pays out the value of the car if your car is totaled. Without rental coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for your rental. The same applies to towing charges. Unless you have coverage for towing charges, you may have to pay out-of-pocket to have your car towed from the scene or towed to the body shop for repairs. 

Medical payment (med pay or PIP)

After an accident, regardless of who is at fault, you can use your med pay (or PIP) coverage (up to the policy limit for med pay) to pay for your and your passengers’ reasonable medical expenses. This protection is important regardless of whether or not you have medical insurance, as explained in detail in our article entitled “Med Pay -What is it? How does it work? Do you need it?” Please click here to see the article. 

Uninsured/Underinsured 

What happens if you are not at fault for the accident and the other driver has no insurance (or not enough insurance)? What people believe to be “full coverage” does not include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you (up to your policy limit for uninsured motorist coverage) if the other driver has no insurance or has insufficient insurance. This coverage is very important, as explained in detail in our article entitled “Why it is important to carry uninsured motorist coverage.” Please click here to see the article.

Gap insurance

What happens if you financed your car and your car is totaled in an accident? Who pays for the difference between the amount you get from the insurance company (as the value for your car) and the amount you actually owe on the car (to the financing company)? This is where gap insurance comes in to protect you. What people believe to be “full coverage” does not include gap insurance, coverage, a provision in your policy that can protect you by paying for the difference between the amount you get from the insurance company and the amount you owe on the car. This is explained in detail in our article entitled “Gap insurance may protect you if you finance or lease your vehicle.” Please click here to see the article. 

So, protect yourself in a car accident, before the accident occurs, by obtaining proper coverage. This is why it is very important to speak with an insurance agent when purchasing insurance and NEVER purchase insurance online. 

This article is brought to you by The Mason Law Firm, managed by Mason Rashtian, “AV” Rated by Martindale-Hubble who specializes in personal injury cases. Mr. Rashtian has represented numerous clients since 1997, and has successfully represented clients throughout the State of California, including Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Inland Empire, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

If you have a personal injury case, such as an accident, slip and fall, dog bite, etc., and want to get an honest assessment of your case and be educated as to your options, please give us a call. There is never a fee unless there is recovery in the case. Please contact us at (661) 362-0805 or (818) 700-8422, or email us at mason@mrscvlaw.com for a free case evaluation. We have offices in Santa Clarita, Sherman Oaks and Pasadena.

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