How much do you know about Nevada or California auto insurance law?

Attorneys at our law firm, David Allen & Associates, help car insurance policy-holders and those involved in motor vehicle accidents with the frustrating and often confusing process of recovering compensation for injuries and damage to vehicles. We find insurance agents often fail to fulfill their obligations when writing policies; and insurance adjustors routinely deny legitimate claims for benefits. The information below is general.

If you wonder whether you have a claim for Insurance Bad Faith under Nevada or California auto insurance law, an attorney from our practice will be happy to provide a free consultation – contact our office to make arrangements.

Car insurance: what’s required, and what’s good for you?

Under California auto insurance law, the owner of a vehicle is required to carry, for an accident in which the driver is liable:

• bodily injury insurance that will pay, to people other than the driver, up to $15,000 for the death or injury of any one person in one accident, or $30,000 for all persons in one accident
• property damage insurance that will pay up to $5,000 for damage to another’s property/car

Optional insurance, to protect the driver/owner of the vehicle:

• uninsured driver (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance, which pays for injuries to the driver caused by the negligent operation of another vehicle without insurance or insufficient insurance to pay medical expenses
• MedPay (PIP) insurance to pay the medical expenses of the car’s driver and passengers regardless of fault
• uninsured motorist collision insurance to pay for damage to the car if the auto causing the accident doesn’t have sufficient coverage
• comprehensive insurance to compensate for theft or damage to the vehicle not caused by a collision
• collision insurance to pay for damage to the insured vehicle

What are the responsibilities of my insurance agent and adjustor?

• The minimum liability coverage cannot pay for serious injuries. Because of that, insurance agents, before selling a policy, are required to offer uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist bodily damage and property damage insurance to the policy purchaser. The agent is required to get an initialed statement if the purchaser rejects this coverage. Since insurance companies make little money on these coverages the agent may not offer the UM/UIM options, and instead focus on selling the more expensive comprehensive/collision insurance that compensates the owner for damage to the vehicle. One of the best forms of coverage you can purchase for you and your family is UM/UIM since it protects you, not the guy who hits you. And in California, by law, the insurance company cannot raise your rates if you bring a UM/UIM claim for injuries suffered by you or a family member.
• If you submit a legitimate claim, the insurance company is required to give it fair consideration and pay it promptly.
• Failure to properly inform you when selling a policy, or to pay the benefits for a legitimate claim, is Insurance Bad Faith.

Auto injury claims are the most common Personal Injury claims.

Car crashes are far too common, and the insurance companies make money by denying claims whenever possible. In many cases, more than one policy is liable for the cost of medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and disability. Our car insurance lawyers often will identify several sources, including Social Security Disability benefits, to compensate our clients for their losses.

Nevada and California auto insurance law attorneys at David Allen & Associates are committed to helping people get the benefits they need to take care of themselves and their families after car wrecks and pedestrian accidents. We help clients from communities including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Stockton, and Sacramento, California; and Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Contact an attorney for a free consultation about your insurance company’s obligations. We charge attorney fees only if we help you collect. We can help you and provide representation through e-mail, mail, the telephone, or in some cases, by visiting you at another location. You are always welcome at our office.