Hi I’m attorney Jason Guari, and I’d like to provide you with some very important information regarding your auto insurance, and what is covered under a typical auto policy. You may think that you are covered in a certain situation, when perhaps, you really are not. I’ll go down through a list of potential scenarios and questions. Keep in mind that each policy is different, so while the information I’m giving you is generally accurate, you may want to verify it with your own insurance company.

Ok, first – if a friend or anyone not listed on your policy borrows your car, gets in an accident, and injures another driver or third party- Whose insurance company should cover the injury claim? If you thought your friend’s car insurance would cover the accident, you’re wrong. That’s a myth. Auto bodily injury insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver, so YOUR auto insurance would be responsible for any personal injury damages to the third party.

Here’s another one. Maybe you just bought a new car, but forgot to alert your insurance company. You drive it home from the dealership before adding it to your policy, and you get in an accident. So are you covered? Well, here’s the good news – Most policies have something called a “Newly Acquired Vehicle” clause which allows you up to 30 days to report the new car to your insurer. During that time, the vehicle IS covered at your current policy limits. But you should check your policy.

What about rental cars? Many people are unsure about this one. The myth is “I’m automatically covered.” But – it depends on your policy. If you have proper coverage on your vehicle – i.e. collision, substitute vehicles and rental vehicles – then you don’t need to purchase the insurance the rental car company tries to sell you. Before you rent a vehicle again, check your policy.

What about if a vehicle is damaged in a hurricane or other natural disaster? Is it covered by your auto insurance? The damage is covered IF your auto policy includes comprehensive coverage, which covers your car in the event of damage not resulting from an auto accident. Another common myth is that you don’t need uninsured motorist coverage. As we discussed in a previous video, it’s always in your best interest to have this coverage. Anyone who has been injured by an uninsured motorist will tell you how important this coverage is.

Lastly, given all of the recent news about No-Fault insurance in Florida, I wanted to mention No-Fault insurance – which is Personal Injury Protection (PIP). No-Fault insurance does not mean that you are prevented from making an injury claim against an at-fault driver. “No-fault” means that your insurance company is the first and primary insurer to pay for your medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault. As of January 1, 2008, Personal Injury Protection and the no fault provision was reinstated. If you have questions about this coverage, you can call our law firm or your insurance company.

The bottom line is, your auto insurance policy can be complex, with various policy options and terminology that you may not be familiar with. Protect yourself by taking the time to review and familiarize yourself with your policy so that you can be an informed consumer. Until next time – drive safely.

If you need legal advice regarding a car accident or have any questions regarding your auto policy, please do not hesitate to call me at (561) 366-9099 or email me at jguari@murrayguari.com. We would be happy to answer your questions free of charge.

Also, feel free to request a handy Auto Accident Tips card for you to keep in your glovebox. It’s complimentary and you can have one sent to you by contacting us online, or calling (561) 366-9099.