When we shop for car insurance, we naturally tend to focus on the bottom line premium. We all do. However, while getting a good insurance rate is important, it is more crucial to focus on the proper protection first, price second.
Consider the following:
Bodily Injury coverage may be the single most important piece of your auto policy. If you are at-fault in an accident and the other driver (or their passengers) are hurt they will expect you to cover their injuries. In turn, you will expect your insurance policy to fully cover the claim against you. What if you hit a pedestrian, a child on a bike or a motorcyclist? You could easily cause disability or death.
Bodily Injury provides protection to those you injure from all these situations. But it only provides protection to the limit of your policy. If you carry too little bodily injury coverage, you may be setting yourself up for financial trouble.
In some states, you are allowed to carry $15,000 as a minimum on bodily injury. That might cover basic accidents. But in cases where there are significant injuries, disability or even death - this amount will fall far short of what is needed. That is when you can be subject to a lawsuite. Keep in mind, people can even sue you for lost income if they are unable to work due to the accident, in addition to medical costs sustained and long term disability.
Carrying too little Bodily Injury:
What happens if you don’t carry enough Bodily Injury on your policy to cover the claims against you? Simple, you will be sued personally. The claimant likely will hire an attorney to ascertain your assets and income. By court order, you can be required to provide a complete listing of your assets and income. If you do not have lots of assets or savings, the claimant can potentially obtain a judgement against your future earnings. Not a pleasant thought, is it?
When shopping for car insurance, seek the best rate you can find. But also seek the proper coverage to protect your assets, savings, current and future income.
Most consumers should carry at least $100,000 on Bodily Injury. It won’t cover every possible situation but will provide a decent level of coverage and protection for you and those you hit. Should you feel that amount is not enough, most insurance carriers offer the ability to purchase higher levels of coverage.
Remember, bodily injury coverage protects YOU as well as those you hit. By using an insurance shopping service such as ours, you can often accomplish both objectives - a good policy and great price!