North Carolina Car Accident Attorney Blog

Often times, people who think they have adequate insurance learn otherwise after being involved in an accident. Some will purchase auto insurance based on price alone, and following an accident, may find they still have significant out of pocket expenses. Unfortunately, insurance agents don't take the time to explain different coverage options or the drastic effect that selecting the wrong coverage could have on you or a family member. Below, we discuss the different types of coverage that are available to you and guide you to making the right choice when buying insurance.

Bodily Injury
If you cause an accident, this coverage will pay the medical expenses of the injured person(s). In North Carolina, the mandatory minimum bodily injury limits are $30,000 per person, not to exceed $60,000 per accident (30/60), regardless of how many people are injured. Most people carrying these low limits do so because they think they have little or no assets to lose if they are sued, the think it will cost too much to buy more coverage, or they are not aware that higher limits are available.

Most consumers would be surprised to learn that the cost to increase their bodily injury liability limits does not cost that much in comparison to the premium they are already paying, which may explain why insurance agents do not make an effort to sell these higher limits. We recommend bodily injury limits of at least 100/300. Of course, if you have significant assets, you should consider limits in accordance with the value of your assets. Call your agent today. You may be surprised to find out how little it costs to increase your coverage.

Continue reading "Are You Really Covered?" »

A study conducted by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) found that among the worst insurance companies in America, by far, Allstate was the worst. This study looked at thousands of court documents, SEC and FBI records, state insurance department investigations and complaints, and testimony and depositions of former insurance agents and adjusters.

In the words of Allstate's CEO, Thomas Wilson, "Our obligation is to earn a return for our shareholders." That mission statement, adopted over a decade ago, lead the insurance giant to put profits ahead of policyholders. Among industry insiders, this strategy is known as "the three D's: deny, delay, and defend."

So what does this mean for policyholders and those injured by Allstate policyholders? It means that if they are offered any compensation at all, it is an unreasonable and low-ball offer. If the offer is refused, litigation will ensue and Allstate will employ aggressive and delay tactics, with the hope that the claimant will give up and abandon their claim. In fact, a former agent for Allstate, Shannon Kmatz, reported to the AAJ that by practicing the three D's, pursuing claims would be "so expensive and so time-consuming that lawyers would start refusing to help clients." And without lawyers to pursue their claims, where does that leave the claimant? Right where Allstate wants them: accept the lowball offer or nothing.

Continue reading "You are NOT in "good hands" with Allstate" »