I need help understanding my car insurance situation. I was in an accident and stayed in the hospital for 2 days. The police report and a witness confirmed that the other driver was at fault, but they don’t have insurance. My policy covers uninsured bodily injury up to $300,000, and my medical bills are expected to be around $32,000, not including the ambulance. However, my insurance company is only offering me $25,000 and says they can’t go higher.
I don’t get why they can do this since my limit is $300,000. Are they trying to pressure me to accept this offer before my bills are finalized?
Any advice would be really helpful. Thanks.
6 Likes
You can always wait until the bills are finalized to make a decision.
1 Like
Okay. Are they asking me to sign something, so I can just tell them I want to wait until all the bills arrive?
1 Like
Sure, I can see how that wouldn’t be a problem.
Did you inquire why it’s limited to $25,000?
1 Like
Not yet. I plan to do that tomorrow, but I wanted to get some opinions first. She mentioned that based on what I described about my hospital experience, she estimated it wouldn’t exceed $25k and thought that would also include other expenses like physical therapy. So, I’m not sure how she arrived at that estimate, haha.
It seems like something isn’t quite right. Have you completed your treatment, and are your injuries resolved? If you’re still undergoing treatment and experiencing symptoms, focus on getting better first and think about settlement later. Is there any PIP coverage or medical payments that are covering your medical expenses? Which state are you in?
1 Like
I’m currently undergoing treatment and have another CT scan scheduled. Depending on my recovery, I might need physical therapy. The insurance company is pressuring me to sign something for the PIP (which I believe is called uninsured bodily liability nationwide). I’m in Indiana now, but I think the policy is still tied to Ohio since I recently moved and haven’t updated my address yet.
1 Like
UMBI is not the same as PIP. To clarify, inform the insurance company that you are still undergoing treatment and will not agree to a settlement until your treatment is finished. This way, you can ensure your injuries are fully addressed and that you receive complete compensation. Do you currently have a medical payment claim filed with your auto insurance? Is your health insurance covering any bills?
1 Like
I currently have a medical claim filed with my auto insurance. No bills have been paid yet, as the accident occurred less than two weeks ago. The hospital has designated my car insurance as the primary coverage and my health insurance as secondary.
1 Like
You’re not finalizing anything at this point. Focus on your treatment and deal with the settlement once you’re finished. Be sure to check the personal injury statute of limitations for Indiana as well as your Ohio policy.
Depending on your medical payments coverage amount, that will simply reduce the UMBI settlement. So, they may discuss what can be considered ‘fresh money,’ which is essentially new funds specifically for you. Keep in mind that your health insurance might have subrogation rights to recoup any payments they make.
Do not sign anything. Do not engage in conversation. Hire a lawyer as soon as possible. Pay your bills later.
In the context of uninsured motorists, your insurance company assumes the role of the at-fault driver. This means they are only required to pay the same amount that the other driver would have been liable for if they had insurance. In your jurisdiction, it’s likely that the damages you can claim are intended to fully compensate you for your injuries and the suffering you’ve endured.
The key question is determining what amount would fully restore you. The fact that you may have higher coverage limits does not impact what they should or will pay.
To maximize your compensation, it would be beneficial to involve an attorney. Research indicates that individuals who hire lawyers for these cases tend to receive a greater net amount, even after accounting for attorney fees.
1 Like
Thanks. All I’m aiming for is to have my medical bills covered, which seems fair to me, haha.
1 Like
The law entitles you to much more than simply having your bills covered. It’s essential to have someone who understands the system and knows what you can and should request on your side. Lawyers exist for a reason. Just as I wouldn’t attempt to rewire my house without the necessary knowledge, as mistakes can be very expensive, you shouldn’t navigate legal matters alone.
1 Like
That makes sense. I’ve never hired a lawyer for anything before, but I’ll explore my options. Thank you, I really appreciate your assistance.
1 Like
I agree with this; they often aim to close a claim quickly, so don’t accept a settlement until you fully understand your actual “damages.”