Bodily Injury Liability Insurance-What Is Covered?

Note how one insurance company in Cincinnati defines liability coverage:  

We will pay damages for bodily injury or property damage for which any insured becomes legally responsible because of an auto accident.

Damages include pre-judgment interest awarded against the insured. We will settle or defend, as we consider appropriate, any claim or suit asking for these damages.

In addition to our limit of liability, we will pay all defense costs we incur. Our duty to settle or defend ends when our limit of liability for this coverage has been exhausted by payment of judgment or settlements. We have no duty to defend any suit or settle any claim for bodily injury or property damage not covered under this policy.                                                                                                               

Car Accident Bodily Injury Example:  

You have repeatedly warned your 18-year-old son Billy that if he gets one more ticket you are going to make him pay for his own insurance. Since Billy recently turned 18 he is not required to show up for court anymore so he doesn’t tell you about the four new speeding tickets that he got, but your insurance company lets you know by canceling your car insurance policy!  Because Billy is now considered high risk he purchases a liability policy on his own.  Because he is now paying his own car insurance he buys only the state minimum liability limits because that’s the cheapest high risk insurance in Cincinnati that he can find. 

On Monday afternoon after school Billy is driving home when he receives a text message from his girlfriend Andrea.  As he is texting a reply he takes his eyes off the road for about 2 seconds and he did not notice that a Honda Accord had suddenly stopped because a cat ran across the street.   

Billy slams into the stopped car going about 35 miles an hour!  Billy and the driver of the Honda Accord were transported to the local hospital with severe injuries.

What Happens Next? 

Billy gets sued for $500,000 from the driver of the Honda Accord.  Billy’s policy only covers $12,500 of the $500,000 judgment.  Billie is on the hook to pay $488,500 out of pocket!

When You Buy Car Insurance in Cincinnati Make Sure You Get Enough! 

Even if you have to purchase high risk car insurance in Cincinnati, buy as much liability insurance as you possibly can afford.  Any amount of money not paid by your insurance company would need to be paid by the person responsible for the car accident. 

When Shopping for Car Insurance in Cincinnati Call 513-662-7000 to obtain up to 20 insurance quotes from top rated companies in your area.

At What Point Do Insurance Companies Consider You a High Risk Driver?

It’s interesting how insurance companies in Cincinnati determine whether or not you are a high risk driver. 

Some insurance companies consider you high risk if you have more than two tickets in the last three years.  Other companies consider you high risk when you have 2 accidents or more in the last three years. Additionally if you get caught driving without insurance, or if you are required to carry an SR 22 some companies consider you high risk.

Many Insurance Companies in Cincinnati Do Not Offer High Risk Insurance.

If you are dropped by your current insurance company because of too many tickets or accidents you will learn that some of the biggest insurance companies may not take you, or they will offer rates that are substantially higher than what you can obtain elsewhere. Let’s look at an actual example. 

Massive Difference in Price for High Risk Car Insurance in Cincinnati

A person called our office recently who was insured with the Geico insurance in Cincinnati. She was paying about $180 per month. Geico considered her high risk because she had a DUI.  

We shopped around and found a company would take her for about $108 per month!  The new company also considered her high risk, but they were willing to offer the same coverage for nearly $1000 per year savings compared to Geico’s car insurance rates.

If you have been dropped by your car insurance company in Cincinnati, call Pathway Insurance at 513-662-7000