What Your Insurance Agent Didn’t Tell You

How much do you know about your auto insurance policy? Chances are you shopped around for the best deal on comprehensive or liability coverage to get the lowest payment. Maybe you only purchased the bare minimum thinking you’re a great driver, so why would you need more?

Paul Aiken, a personal injury attorney at the law firm of Aiken and Aiken, in Hyannis, has seen many clients who realized too late why purchasing additional coverage is not only inexpensive, but invaluable when an accident involves bodily injury occurs. He said, “It is almost criminal,” that people don’t understand how, for a few more pennies a day, they could be well protected in the event of a serious accident. “Normally, the first time people have really looked at their policy is when they come to my office, and that’s not when you want to find out you have minimal coverage.”

In an effort to spread the word, Aiken and Aiken has been speaking regularly to parents of young drivers through Professional Driving Schools, which runs classes for new drivers in Hyannis, Mashpee, Harwich, Sandwich and Falmouth. Mike Hanlon, the owner of Professional Driving Schools, said, “It’s something I’ve wanted to get the parents involved in for quite a while. I always tell parents, ‘Talk to your kids about insurance. Take them with you when you buy insurance. It’s something they’re going to need to know how to do’. ” Hanlon said Paul Aiken’s presentations have become incredibly popular. “He gets more questions than I do!”

According to Atty. Aiken, there are three portions of your insurance policy you should pay close attention to and where additional coverage is inexpensive. “The most important coverage you can buy is Bodily Injury Caused By An Underinsured Driver,” he said. This type of coverage is extremely important in accidents where more serious injuries occur and where the other driver does not have high limits.

The Massachusetts state minimum is $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. This may sound like a lot of money, but hospital bills can add up quickly, especially if more than one person is injured in a car accident. “Additional coverage will give you peace of mind and ensure that if an accident does happen, your bills will be paid. We’re talking pennies on the dollar,” Aiken said. “It can be as little as $9 or $15 a year! You can’t afford not to add this to your policy.”

The caveat, however, is that you cannot buy more of the Underinsured Driver coverage than the limits you have for Bodily Injury to Others. Attorney Aiken recommends buying as much of this type of insurance as you can afford.

The third portion is Medical Payments. Most people don’t realize that if you’re in a car accident, your health insurance will expect to be reimbursed from any legal settlement you receive. If you have good Medical Payments coverage in your auto insurance, you will be entitled to a greater portion of any settlement.

Aiken and Aiken, P.C., has handled personal injury lawsuits for almost 40 years, serving clients on Cape Cod and throughout Massachusetts. They’ve seen first-hand the devastation that a costly accident can bring to a client’s life and/or finances. Having additional insurance coverage will result in a speedier resolution of a case and will avoid a lengthy lawsuit.

“If you have to go through a lawsuit, the outcome isn’t guaranteed,” said Aiken. Contact Aiken and Aiken at 508-771-2266 for a free consultation to review your auto insurance policy, before it’s too late.

Aiken and Aiken P.C. is a member of LocalLawyersCapeCod.com, the Cape’s most comprehensive online directory of legal resources and educational information. Visit LocalLawyersCapeCod.com. Completely Local. Totally Legal.

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About Ann Luongo

Ann Luongo has been writing for Cape Cod and South Shore publications for over 15 years.



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