Written by Most people carry auto insurance when they own a car, but few people know how their auto insurance coverages work. At the Aaron Shealy Allstate Agency we want to make sure that you understand your auto insurance policy. It is very important that you understand your coverages so that you can make an informed decision when choosing your which coverages are right for you.
Auto Insurance Liability
Auto liability insurance is the first coverage listed on your auto insurance policy. The state minimum for liability coverage amount on your auto insurance in South Carolina is listed as; 25/50/25. Liability insurance pays out in the event you have an accident and your are at fault. With the minimum required coverage amounts your policy would pay up 25,000 dollars per person you may hurt in an at fault accident, and not more than 50,000 for all injured persons. This medical coverage does not cover you or immediate family members living in your home. That would be covered under a separate medical coverage listed under your policy or separate personal health care policies.
The last part of the coverage limit refers to the property damage that will be covered under your policy. If you are at fault in an accident and you damage; another car, house, pole, or other property with your car, your insurance policy will pay up to the policy limits in a covered accident. If you carry the minimum requirement for South Carolina your policy will pay out up to 25,000 dollars per accident for property damage.
Auto Insurance Medical Payments
You may choose to purchase medical coverage under your policy that will pay out in the event you or any of your passengers are injured in an accident whether it is your fault or not. Medical coverage pays for emergency services performed directly after an accident and subsequent office visits. The coverage is limited to the amount specified under your policy terms. This coverage can be used to fill gaps in your personal health insurance policy or cover you or your passengers in the event there is no other coverages.
Uninsured Auto Insurance Coverage
Among other coverages available under your auto insurance policy you may purchase uninsured motorist coverage. This portion of your policy will cover you in the event you are hit by an uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist. Normally persons choose to match their uninsured motorist coverage limits with the limits on their liability limits.The coverage explanation is the same as with the liability insurance portion. Your uninsured motorist cover may appear as 25/50 UMPD.This means that if an uninsured motorist hits you, your policy will pay out up to 25,000 per person injured in your vehicle and up to 50,000 for all persons injured in your vehicle. The UMPD portion of your uninsured motorist coverage will cover property damage done to your vehicle in the event that a uninsured motorist damages your vehicle or if your vehicle is hit by an insured motorist and the injuries and or property damage exceeds their policy limits.
These are the basics for some of the available coverages on your insurance policy. We at Aaron Shealy Allstate Agency in Columbia, can provide you with answers to any further questions you have. Please call us for an auto insurance quote today.
It’s especially important to remember how insufficient state minimums are. $25,000 probably isn’t going to cut it if more than one car is involved in the accident, and it may not even be enough for just one car. If the accident involves a 2-month hospital stay, forget about that being enough as well.