Do you have sufficient coverage to get out of an real accident?
About six months ago, Easton township constructed a two-lane bridge that goes into a sharp curve, that, if missed, would send a car right into a house. According to the owners of the house, Wade and Sonya Schenewolf, that is exactly what has happened four times over the last six months, most recently on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.
Christina Ng of ABC news
reports that an unidentified driver was speeding at about 65 MPH in the 30 MPH zone and hit Schenewolf’s parked car before plowing into the corner of the garage. Their Chevy Malibu was totaled and the house sustained about $40,000 worth of damage. No total
of damage was given to include the Malibu, but Ng reported the driver who hit the home only had the minimum required property damage coverage of $5,000.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Insurance only requires $5000 in Property Damage Liability to be legally insured. According to Allstate Insurance website, Property Damage Liability will pay for structural damage, repair or replace stationary items like fences, and repair or replace auto damage if the policyholder’s accident is legally determined to be at fault.
House hit car or car house? Either way, the big question is: what now?
This is a prime example to auto owners everywhere to not brush off their insurance responsibilities by thinking state minimum guidelines are all they need for coverage. It might make you legal to be on the road, but it might not be enough protection to cover you if you have an accident.
The Schenewolf’s will get their home fixed through their home insurance so they won’t have to concern themselves with chasing after the driver for payment. However, precedence suggests the homeowner insurance company will go after the driver to be reimbursed for the expenses. If the driver is unable or unwilling to pay or make payment arrangements, the homeowner insurance company could get a court-ordered wage garnishment until it has been paid in full.
FoxBusiness.com’s Penny Gusner reported May 8, 2012 that in addition to being responsible for damages that exceed liability limits, the driver who fails to pay the court-ordered judgment could suspend his driver’s license until it is paid in full.
There is a moral to this story: Check your car insurance liability limits. You just could call your agent or your insurance company and ask them for a quote for a higher limit. If you have maintained a decent driving record and have had no lapses in coverage in at least a year, you could potentially double or triple your coverage for a few dollars a month. It would be far less than having to pay out of pocket for additional damage (or injury) over your policy limits. You also can compare quotes and different liability limits using our calculator and look for the best deal.
