We’ve all seen the billboards on the highway – “Injured in a Car Accident? We’ll Get You Money!”. The law firms using these advertisements thrive on pursuing personal injury payments, especially in Missouri, which is still one of the most litigious states in the nation. You don’t want to be involved with these firms – not on either side of the case. Thankfully, the right insurance coverages on your Personal Auto policy can drastically decrease your chances of being involved in this type of lawsuit.
Liability Limits Always Matter
When we talk to potential customers shopping for Auto Insurance quotes, there’s an exchange that happens so often, it almost feels lyrical. We’ll ask, “What are your liability limits?” and they will respond, “My deductibles are $500.” Deductibles are fore-front in shoppers’ minds because that’s probably the only experience they’ve ever had with a claim – but the other numbers in that quote matter just as much – if not more. The State of Missouri mandates that insured drivers must carry liability limits of 25/50/25, which means a coverage limit of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident/$25,000 property damage. For a detailed explanation of these coverages, click here.
Imagine the worst accident you’ve ever seen (we watch a lot of dash cam videos to fall asleep). How quickly would an ambulance ride, hospital visit, and rehab add up to more than $25,000? What if there were 4 people in the other car, and they all had injuries – would their bills be less than $50,000 combined? What if you totaled their brand-new $48,000 vehicle, but your Property Damage limit is only $25,000?
Liability limits are a critical part of the protection your Auto Insurance policy offers – that’s why they’re listed first! Raising your liability limits to 50/100/50, 100/300/100 (the minimum we recommend for homeowners), 250/500/250 or higher may not even affect your rate that much, depending on your driving history. Increasing your Uninsured and Underinsured coverages to match is an even smaller charge.
Insure with the People you Trust
Having low liability limits does bring down your premium, but it puts you and your family at greater risk. Is the risk worth the savings? Put the right buffer between you and those billboard lawyers by maintaining your Auto Insurance liability limits at an appropriate level. The Agents at Kasmann Insurance can help guide you to finding the coverage levels that work for you, fit within your budget, and protect the assets you’ve worked so hard to earn. Give us a call at 573-442-1105 and schedule an insurance review today.