Learn Me : Car Insurance - multiple policies

Keven wrote: Actually, now that I think about it. Does the 25/50k and the 100/300k only come into play if they don't have health insurance? Or is the whole point to circumvent their insurance and go after mine because I was at fault?

The answer depends a lot on the state you live in, as state laws vary widely. Liability coverage always comes into play if someone makes a claim for pain and suffering and you're at fault in the accident. Their medical bills could be included in this amount, but again it depends on where you live. The liability law of the state will also have an effect on this, as there are different laws as to what portion of liability you have to have for someone to make a claim against you. It can actually get a bit complicated, but the long and short is that in an accident, your liability coverage typically is first in line to pay for pain and suffering.

As for comp/coll coverage on the car, that's up to you on how comfortable you feel leaving your car without coverage. Comp coverage is really cheap, I'd recommend keeping that. Collision is more expensive, you have to decide if it's worth it.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

jrw1621 wrote: How is your credit score? Your credit score has a huge bearing on your rates. Poor credit, higher rates.

Is this legal? Poor credit ...... = bad driver?

as far as they're concerned ... yes

Keven wrote:

pilotbraden wrote: Klayfish is right. The agency that employs me will not quote lower than 100/300.

Actually, now that I think about it. Does the 25/50k and the 100/300k only come into play if they don't have health insurance? Or is the whole point to circumvent their insurance and go after mine because I was at fault?

if you're at fault, they'er health ins will pay and after the settlement they'll come after repayment from your ins co. if the charges exceed what coverage then they can come after you ...

from my own mva ... other persons fault .. my major medical payed as we went along ... the hospital/doctors keep hassling me for the difference ... finally got them off my back by getting a lawyer ... my major medical had first call on the settlement money ... then my lawyer ... then me

so yeah get at least 100/300 ... higher doesn't really cost that much more

Ins guys-answer honestly please-do you guys ever see anyone go after the individual if the individual has no money?

A few things on what wbjones outlined. First, as mentinoned before, state laws vary greatly as to who pays and who has right of subrogation. In many (most) states, the auto insurance is first in line. In fact major medical will reject the bill if they know it's from an auto loss. Here in PA, if you're in an accident, your own auto insurance company pays the medical bills regardless of who is at fault. If you weren't at fault, they still can't go after the at fault party to recover the bills they paid. Nobody can. If I'm a passenger in your car, my bills go back to my own insurance. If a 17 year old pedestrian gets hit by a car and he/she lives with their parents, the medical bills get paid by the parents auto insurance company, and they can't recover from anyone. Fun, huh?

MrJoshua, That completely depends. The subrogation department has to make a business decision. Would it be worth it to them to spend money pursuing someone who has no assets in hopes of recovering something? Often it would cost them a lot more than they'd recover. That said, I have seen subrogation pursued against an individual on many occassions.

wbjones wrote:

Keven wrote:

pilotbraden wrote: Klayfish is right. The agency that employs me will not quote lower than 100/300.

Actually, now that I think about it. Does the 25/50k and the 100/300k only come into play if they don't have health insurance? Or is the whole point to circumvent their insurance and go after mine because I was at fault?

if you're at fault, they'er health ins will pay and after the settlement they'll come after repayment from your ins co. if the charges exceed what coverage then they can come after you ... from my own mva ... other persons fault .. my major medical payed as we went along ... the hospital/doctors keep hassling me for the difference ... finally got them off my back by getting a lawyer ... my major medical had first call on the settlement money ... then my lawyer ... then me so yeah get at least 100/300 ... higher doesn't really cost that much more

I should have noted that each state could and probably is different ( what Klayfish said ) I should also have added the the second in line for the money was the hospital / doctors, etc .... that were "out" the 20 % that my major medical hadn't payed ...

wasn't aware that the auto ins would cover hospital/medical costs ... but like he said each state is different

MrJoshua wrote: Ins guys-answer honestly please-do you guys ever see anyone go after the individual if the individual has no money?

I am an aviation specialist so I do not pay much attention to the other parts of the business. However, I know of one case that the underinsured driver was pursued for more money.

My limited experience (associate with multiple claims reps and a couple of people who could have been targets of large claims) is that if you are poor they won't bother. In my opinion your liability coverage should reflect your worth. If there is a lot to loose you should protect it with very good liability coverage. If you are poor you should be safe with minimums.