Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Types of Massachusetts Car Insurance Coverage, Auto Insurance Basics
The following is a simplified explanation in plain about the different types of car insurance coverage in Massachusetts. To review your policy and ensure that you have adequate coverage you should contact your insurance agent or provider. At Kiley Law Group we always recommend that clients purchase more coverage than the state required minimum.
Bodily Injury to Others
This is coverage that can protect you if another person is hurt because of your carelessness or the carelessness of someone driving your car. The protection is generally limited to the amount of coverage you purchased. For example, if your liability limits are the Massachusetts minimum compulsory coverage of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per vehicle accident, your company will pay no more than $20,000 to each injured person and no more than $40,000 total for one accident. You could be held personally responsible for any damages that exceed the insurance coverage. You can provide yourself more protection by purchasing more coverage.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
This coverage pays up to $8,000 for medical expenses, lost wages, and replacement services. Your insurance company will pay the reasonable medical expenses of anyone in your car who was injured, regardless of fault. You do not necessarily need to be in your car for this coverage to apply. If you were struck by a car while a pedestrian you may also have coverage. Personal Injury Protection does not apply if you are injured in a Massachusetts motorcycle accident.
Property Damage Liability
This type of coverage pays for damage to someone else’s property caused by your carelessness or negligence. As in bodily injury situations, the coverage is limited to the amount you purchase. The state required minimum in Massachusetts is $5,000 which may not come close to the repairs needed to a new vehicle or other type of property. You could be sued for any property damage that you cause that exceeds your insurance coverage. You can provide yourself with more protection by purchasing more property damage coverage, which is generally inexpensive.
Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you are injured by the carelessness of an unidentified or uninsured driver. Underinsured coverage protects you if a careless driver’s coverage is inadequate and does not cover the full value of your claims for physical injuries. It is not limited to vehicle occupants and you can recover under your own underinsured coverage as a pedestrian. Both of these coverages are extremely important to have as it can protect you and your family from careless or negligent drivers who do not carry adequate insurance coverage or insurance at all.
Medical Payment Coverage
This coverage is optional and if purchased provides payment for accident related medical bills and funeral expenses. You can purchase limits as low as $5,000 which covers you, your household members, and anyone occupying your vehicle during an accident. This is important coverage to have especially if you are a motorcyclist as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) does not apply to motorcycle passengers or riders.
Comprehensive
This coverage applies if your vehicle is damaged by something other than a car accident. For example, this coverage would apply if your vehicle was damaged by fire, theft, or vandalism. Payment for this type of damage is often reduced by any deductible you may have. A $100 deductible means you pay the first $100 worth of damage and the insurance company pays the rest.
Collision
This is coverage in which your insurance company pays for damage to your vehicle caused by a car accident. Deductibles often apply to this coverage.
To find out how your auto insurance can affect the outcome of your auto accident claim, contact the Boston car accident lawyers at Kiley Law Group today.
Call 1-888-208-1695 for a Free Consultation.
