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If you have been in an accident that was not your fault, you may be wondering why your insurance has to pay.  The reason has to do with the fact that approximately one in seven drivers in California does not have insurance.  You need to carry insurance to protect yourself against those drivers that fail to be responsible and insure themselves.

Uninsured motorist coverage protects you as much as you are protected by your insurance when you are at fault for an accident.  You may be concerned that in response to the uninsured motorist payment your insurance company may raise your rates, but in 1988 California voters passed Proposition 103, which limits an insurance company’s ability to raise your rates when you make an uninsured motorist claim.  That doesn’t mean it won’t still happen, but you can take your business elsewhere if it does.

In response to the uninsured motorist claim, your insurance company may file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver to recover from them the money they paid to you.  This is how uninsured motorist coverage protects responsible drivers while also allowing the insurance companies to look out for their interests.  Watch the video to learn more.

If you have additional questions about auto accidents or dealing with insurance agencies, I want you to call me at (559) 436-0850.  I welcome your call.  Visit our educational website at www.NunesLaw.com for more videos and media content from our law firm.

Umbrella policies are insurance policies that provide additional coverage above and beyond the limits of your existing policy.  People often purchase umbrella policies for additional protection in case their actions cause harm to another person in the form of catastrophic injuries.

Not only can an umbrella policy make sure you have enough insurance to cover someone else’s injuries, but you can also buy an umbrella policy that covers harms and losses you may suffer at the hands of another careless person who does not have enough insurance.  Not all umbrella policies are the same, so you need to carefully read your policy and ask your agent what is included in yours.

There are some specific questions you should ask.  First, ask whether you have third-party coverage, which covers the third party that hit you.  Then ask whether you have first-party coverage, as well.  First-party coverage covers you and the people in your car if the person who hurts you does not have enough insurance to cover your injuries.  Make sure your umbrella includes the coverage you think you should have.  Watch the video to learn more.

If you have additional questions about umbrella policies or auto insurance, or if you have been injured in an auto accident, I want you to call me at 559-234-0971.  I welcome your call.  Visit our educational website at www.NunesLaw.com for more videos and media content from our law firm.

After being in an auto accident, you learned the careless driver who hit you has the same insurance company as you.  Now you’re wondering how you can bring a lawsuit if the same company handles insurance for both sides.  You can still make a claim, but you’ll need to pay special attention to some additional factors.

Cases with the same insurance company covering both sides are handled differently, complete with different ratings and limits.  Insurance companies should assign each side of the case to different adjusters.  Make sure this happens by carefully reading all communications from your insurance company in the mail, reviewing who is listed as insured and who is listed as the claimant.  Don’t respond to the letter if this information is not clear.

Whenever the adjusters call you, confirm with them whether they are representing the claimant or the injured on the case.  Check the information they provide with the claim numbers, as these numbers will often be different.  Watch the video to learn more.

If you have additional questions, I want you to call me at 559-234-0971.  I welcome your call.  Visit our educational website at www.NunesLaw.com for more videos and media content from our law firm.