Over the years, GJEL has seen its cases involving uninsured motorists increase by roughly 20 percent. Add to that underinsured motorists, unlicensed motorists, aging drivers, and teens with their first license, and the safety of our streets is downright scary. Not to belabor the point, but, with each percentage point increase in unemployment, there is a ¾ of a percentage point increase in uninsured motorists, according to a study by the Insurance Research Council, Uninsured Motorists, 2008 Edition.
There’s one way to ensure a little peace of mind, however, and that’s to know your auto insurance basics. GJEL is publishing a three-part series of mini-quizzes to test your knowledge about your family’s auto insurance. Here, below, is the first installment of the quiz. Any “false” or “don’t know” answers may suggest more homework to protect drivers in your family with appropriate levels of insurance.
1. I review my automobile insurance policy every year with my insurance broker.
[] True [] False [] Don’t Know
2. My automobile policy covers all licensed family members including new teens and college-age drivers.
[] True [] False [] Don’t Know
3. My policy covers non-family members who borrow my car.
[] True [] False [] Don’t Know
4. My auto insurance policy provides for equal coverage for multiple vehicles we own.
[] True [] False [] Don’t Know
5. My insurance coverage limits will cover uninsured or underinsured motorists’ collisions.
[] True [] False [] Don’t Know
6. My automobile insurance policy includes car rental fees in the event my vehicle requires repair after an accident or if a rental is needed during holiday or for business.
[] True [] False [] Don’t Know
7. I did not increase my liability limits on my current auto policy to cover a new teen driver.
[] True [] False [] Don’t Know
8. My auto insurance covers accidents like hitting a deer, smashing the garage door or bumping into another’s parked vehicle.
[] True [] False [] Don’t Know
9. My bodily injury liability coverage should be 4 times my net worth.
[] True [] False [] Don’t Know
10. I have purchased enough gap coverage to protect me during an accident with an underinsured motorist.
[] True [] False [] Don’t Know
Stay tuned for the next installment of the GJEL Know Auto Insurance Basics Quiz. We’ll focus next on teen drivers.
Photo Courtesy of: https://www.flickr.com/photos/canadagood/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Since 1972 he has been helping seriously injured victims throughout northern California fight & win their personal injury cases. Andy is one of the top awarded & recognized wrongful death lawyers in northern California.