Deciding Whether To Opt Into No Fault Car Insurance Coverage
Being in a serious accident is something every driver hopes to avoid, and many drivers are fortunate enough to be spared this during their years of driving. For a driver, the only thing worse than being in an accident that results in a serious injury or death, is being the person responsible for it, the person at fault. This is a term drivers hate and insurance companies exist to seek out – who is “at fault” for an accident. If a driver is determined to be the one who caused the accident, either through negligence or even an unavoidable set of circumstances, they may not be entitled to any insurance coverage, and may also be on the hook for the other party’s medical and property damage bills. Every state has a slightly different policy on how to handle at-fault collisions, with some opting for a fully culpable model, some declaring all accidents no-fault, and some offering a choice to insurance consumers.
If the option to take no fault car insurance is open to you, there are a few things to be aware of before opting in. First, no-fault insurance means that your insurance company will pay for your damages and injuries no matter whose fault the accident was. Even if you are clearly to blame, you will still receive compensation. This also means that no matter the circumstances of the accident, you will have a claim on record with your insurance company that they paid out for, and this will likely increase any car insurance quotes you receive – either from your current provider or another company.
Opting for no fault car insurance coverage also means that your options for litigation are limited. If a no fault clause does not exist, you can sue the other party involved in the accident for pain and suffering, as they can also do to you. A no fault option prohibits this and means that you will not have to worry about being taken to court and forced to pay a substantial, uncovered sum for pain or suffering. It is still possible for there to be court action, however, if the injuries sustained by either party are above and beyond the limits of their insurance coverage. In these cases, litigation is an option, but only for actual costs due to injury or income loss.
No fault car insurance may raise your premiums, and using it will almost inevitably cause future car insurance quotes to be more expensive, but it can provide excellent piece of mind for drivers as it limits the amount that will potentially need to be paid out of pocket should another party attempt a more litigious route.
