Seattle Auto Accident Insurance Policy Basics

In assessing an insurance claim for a Washington auto accident, it is important to have an understanding of the various types of insurance you may encounter.

Auto insurance coverage is typically broken down into separate components, as defined below:

Liability Coverage. Liability coverage provides protection for claims made against an insured driver, where the use of an insured vehicle caused bodily injury or property damage to someone else.

Medical Payments Coverage or Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”). Medical payments coverage or PIP provides coverage for various medical expenses incurred by the insured and others as a result of an accident — regardless of negligence or liability on the part of the insured

Collision Coverage. Collision coverage provides protection for losses that the insured suffers as a result of damage to his or her covered vehicle caused by a collision.

Other-than-Collision (also known as Comprehensive) Coverage. This covers losses that the insured suffers as a result of damage to or loss of a covered vehicle not caused by a collision (e.g., fire, theft, vandalism, falling objects, explosion, earthquake, flood, or civil commotion).

Uninsured Motorist Coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage covers the losses that the insured, as well as others, sustain when injured through the negligence of an uninsured or unidentified hit-and-run motorist.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage. Underinsured motorist coverage covers the losses that the insured, as well as others, sustain when injured through the negligence of a motorist who has liability insurance, but the limit of that insurance is insufficient to pay for the damages or medical expenses.

If you are injured by another party in an auto accident, the insurance that will pay for your damages is the other driver’s liability coverage. That said, your PIP coverage will pay your medical bills while the other claims are settled.

If you are in need of assistance, contact one of our Kirkland auto accident attorneys.