What Does Full Coverage Mean?
While there is no Auto coverage that goes by the name “full coverage,” most individuals think of full coverage as a policy that combines the following:
State-required liability and no-fault insurance coverage to cover bodily injury and property damages to others in an accident you cause, not required.
However, what is important to realize, often the “full” coverage you may have, are only the minimum required limits under State law. In Delaware, the present minimum coverage required to be offered is $15,000 per person/ $30,000 per occurence for liability coverage if you cause the accident, and the same minimal amount for personal injury protection which covers your lost wages and medical bills, and the same optional minimal coverage for uninsured motorist coverage if the other person causing the collision has no insurance or, underinsured motorist coverage if the other person causing the collision has coverage less than or equal to your coverage.
Having a “full coverage” auto insurance policy doesn’t mean you have full protection no matter what. Depending on your circumstances, it may even mean you don’t even have adequate protection. Instead of relying on a “full coverage” policy, ask yourself what coverage and limits best meet your needs.
There are numerous other types of car insurance coverage that will offer you additional protection in case of an accident or other unfortunate situation.
Consider adding or increasing the limits of one or more of the following insurance coverages to your policy if you are looking for a very comprehensive car insurance policy:
Uninsured motorist protection – This helps you cover your costs if you get hit by a driver with no insurance.
Underinsured motorist protection – This will help pay your costs if the other driver has insufficient insurance coverage and/or coverage limits.
Personal Injury Protection – You can use this coverage to pay for your medical costs after a car accident, even if you were at fault.
Rental reimbursement – If you’re in an accident and your car is in repair, this coverage can cover your rental costs while you wait.
Insurance companies write policies with various “full coverage” limits for liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, for example, usual limits may be: $15,000 per person/ $30,000 per occurrence/accident, $25,000/$50,000, $50,000/$100,000, and $100,000/$300,000. Additionally, you may opt for additional coverage to protect you and your family, called “umbrella” coverage under an additional policy, which may kick in after the underlying policy limits are exhausted.
Please contact Delaware injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers Beverly Bove and Vince Hedrick, at 302-777-3500 for a free consultation and learn how to protect your rights and answer questions about your insurance coverages. We are experienced Delaware Trial Attorneys serving all of the State of Delaware. Visit our website at bevbovelaw@del.net.
We serve all of Delaware including Wilmington, Newark, Middletown, Dover Smyrna, Milford, Harrington, Millsboro, Lewes, Milton, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island and Ocean View, DE.
