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12 Part Automobile Insurance Coverage
Part 1: Compulsory Bodily Injury To Others:
Protects you for monetary sums you may be legally obligated to pay
for bodily injury to others for which you are held liable for.
Includes defense costs. Also extends coverage for bodily injury to
others caused by a legally registered trailer being towed by your
vehicle. Major limitations of this part are that there is NO
coverage when you are off a state road (parking lot, driveway) or
out of the state of Massachusetts. There is NO coverage for
passengers in your vehicle; mandatory limits are 20,000/40,000.
Hint: Purchase Part 5 for extended coverage and higher limits.
Part 2: Personal Injury Protection:
Pays for Medical Expenses, Lost Wages, and Replacement Services.
Protects you and your passengers. There is no coverage as an
operator or passenger on a motorcycle . This pays regardless of who
is at fault, unless you are convicted of driving under the
influence. If you are at fault, this is the only part of your policy
that will pay for your medical bills unless you purchase Part 6
Medical Payments as well.
Hint: Use Part 6
for your medical bills and use this part for lost wages and
replacement services.
Part 3: Compulsory Uninsured Motorist:
Protects you and your passengers for bodily injuries caused to you
by someone who is operating an uninsured vehicle or a hit and run
driver. Also protects you and your household members as pedestrians
if you are struck by a hit and run auto. You cannot purchase more
than the limits you purchased for Part 5. Compulsory limits are
$20,000/$40,000. Hint: It's very inexpensive to increase coverage
here.
Part 4:
Compulsory Damage To Others' Property:
Protects you for claims placed against you for damage to another
person's property for which you are legally liable. Extends coverage
for property damage attached trailers may do. Compulsory limit is
$5,000.
Hint: It's very inexpensive to increase coverage.
Part 5: Optional Bodily Injury To Others:
Protects you for claims placed against you for bodily injury to
others for which you are held liable. This coverage extends Part 1
to accidents within the United States, its possessions and
territories, and Canada. It also extends coverage to your
passengers, and to injuries caused by an attached trailer. This is
an important coverage because it allows you to increase your
coverage dramatically. The coverage amount is not added to Part 1
but replaces it.
Hint: This can be
the most important coverage you purchase, as it is the part that
protects your assets, and your future.
Part 6: Optional Medical Payments:
Reimburses you and your passengers for medical or funeral expenses.
Besides PIP this is the only part of your policy that will pay your
medical bills if you are at fault. This is the only part of your
policy that will pay medical bills if you are operating a
motorcycle.
Hint: If you lose your medical plan, or have large medical
deductibles, buy this coverage.
Part 7: Optional Collision:
Pays for the repair of your auto from a collision loss. Payment is
reduced by your deductible. If you purchase the Waiver of Deductible
and you are found not-at-fault in an accident, your deductible will
not be withheld, as long as your insurance company can subrogate
against the at-fault party. Remember, you must be able to fully
identify the at-fault party.
Hint: Always get complete information on the driver, vehicle
owner, and the vehicle. Whenever possible, get the names and
addresses and phone numbers of witnesses who can corroborate your
report of the accident.
Part 8: Optional Limited Collision:
Pays you for damage to your auto from a collision loss only when you
are not more than 50% at fault and you can identify the at-fault
party. Hint:
Purchasing this coverage instead of Full Collision coverage is
equivalent to putting your head in the lions mouth. You just never
know.
Part 9: Optional Comprehensive:
Pays for the repair to your auto caused by perils other than
collision. Includes Fire, Theft, Vandalism, Flood, and Glass
Breakage. The claims payment is subject to the deductible. There is
no waiver. There is no deductible for Glass replacement or repair.
If your car is stolen, this part will reimburse you for up to
$15/day (up to $450) for transportation expenses after a waiting
period of 48 hours after you file your reports to the police and to
the insurance company. Reimbursement stops the day your auto is
recovered or after 30 days, whichever occurs first.
Hint: If you
regularly park in that part of the jungle where wild things are
happening, purchase a lower deductible.
Part 10: Optional Substitute Transportation:
This reimburses you for auto rental expenses while your auto is
being repaired due to a covered loss after a 24 hour waiting period.
You must purchase Comprehensive and Collision coverage for this
coverage to apply. Hint: If the
loss of the use of
your auto for a two or three week period for repairs from a covered
accident would make you, your spouse, or any other big chief
irritable, purchase this coverage.
Part 11: Optional Towing:
Reimburses you for towing and the labor for the emergency repair of
your auto up to the limit you purchased on your policy. You must
purchase Comprehensive coverage to obtain this coverage.
Hint: Park in
designated parking areas because this does not apply if you are
towed for a parking violation.
Part 12: Optional
Underinsured Motorist:
Protects you for bodily injury caused to you by someone who is
underinsured. Similar to Part 3, Uninsured Motorist coverage,
however the at-fault party has some Part 5, Bodily Injury To Others
coverage, just not enough to compensate you fully. The at-fault
party must pay their coverage limits before your coverage kicks in.
Payments made by the at-fault party are subtracted from the limits
you purchase. You can access the balance. You can not purchase more
than the limits you purchased for Part 5.
Hint: There are
many people who carry the minimum limits of 20/40 for Part 5 just to
get the car on the road. Protect yourself with this coverage |