Automobile Insurance Terms
Liability Coverage
Liability coverage is designed to protect you in the event that a person makes a claim or files a lawsuit against you. Auto insurance liability coverage provides coverage for injuries to other people (bodily injuries) and damage to the property of others (property damage) that is caused by your negligence. Your auto insurance company is obligated to defend you in the event of a claim against you, but the Company’s duty to defend ceases after your policy limits have been paid or offered to the claimant.
It is extremely important that you understand that you can be sued for more money than you have liability coverage for. You are personally liable for any legal judgment against you that exceeds your liability limits and your personal assets can be used to satisfy this indebtedness. Thus, WE RECOMMEND you purchase as much liability coverage as you can afford.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you and members of your household (up to your policy limit) from bodily injuries you may sustain that are caused by negligence of an automobile driver who has no liability insurance. If you are injured as a result of the negligence of an uninsured driver, your recovery for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disfigurement, etc. may be limited to your uninsured motorist limit. Essentially, you make a claim against your own insurance company for bodily injury losses that could have been claimed against the negligent party if that party had insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage does not cover damages to your automobile.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Underinsured motorist coverage protects you and members of your household (up to your policy limit) from bodily injuries you may sustain that are caused by the negligence of a driver with low automobile liability limits. If you are injured as a result of the negligence of an underinsured driver, your recovery for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disfigurement, etc. may be limited to your underinsured motorist limit, plus the amount collected from the negligent party. You would make a claim against your own insurance company for your loss. Underinsured motorist coverage does not cover damages to your automobile.
Medical Payments Coverage
Medical payments coverage pays for medical bills sustained by you or anyone else riding in your automobile up to your policy limit. Medical payments coverage is paid out regardless of fault or legal liability. This coverage is usually excess coverage over your health insurance, workers’ compensation insurance or any other insurance that would also pay the medical bills. Medical payments coverage can be rejected in Wisconsin.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage is one of two coverages that provides protection for damages to your automobile. It is now commonly referred to as “Other Than Collision” coverage. Comprehensive coverage provides coverage for many non-collision losses to your automobile, including losses from fire, wind, hail, theft, vandalism, and similar losses. It also covers most broken glass claims and losses from hitting an animal.
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage is the second of the two coverages that cover damages to your automobile. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle when it is damaged by a collision with another object or by overturning. If your vehicle is damaged by a hit and run driver, you would need to have collision coverage on your policy for the damaged vehicle in order to be covered.