By definition, accidents aren’t supposed to happen. I think we do all we can to learn from them – and use what we learn to reduce the risk. That’s how we develop safer cars, roads, and driving rules. But accidents aren’t absolutely avoidable – which means you have to be prepared, and understand your options if you are ever in a car crash.

A local man and woman were very seriously injured last week in a car accident that’s cause is still unknown. WETM reported the incident in the story “Southport Woman in Critical Condition After Crash” (pasted below). The woman veered out of her lane and hit a bakery truck in the oncoming traffic on Route 352. The truck driver was seriously injured too.

A crash like this raises a lot of questions: “What happened?” and “Why?” And then “What happens next?”

After an auto accident, that question is strongly connected to Auto Insurance. How does it work to cover damages and injuries? It’s a complicated topic, which I’ve helped many clients understand. There are even a different set of rules when motorcycles are involved, a topic I write about frequently on my motorcycle blog, the NY Biker Law Blog.

In the Route 352 accident, the driver of the car, who appears to be at fault, will have coverage for her injuries through the No-Fault portion of her policy. The bakery truck driver was likely working at the time of the accident, meaning that rather than No-Fault, his Worker’s Compensation carrier would be responsible for paying his medical bills and lost wages.

What is “No-Fault” Insurance?

We have an FAQ section at ZiffLaw.com devoted to the legal issues our firm covers, from injuries and accidents to family law; bankruptcy, medical malpractice to real estate. There’s a section explaining No-Fault coverage and how it works.

No-Fault Insurance in New York state means that the insurance carrier for your vehicle, rather than the insurance carrier for the other vehicle, pays your medical bills or lost wages. This is true regardless of who was at fault in causing the accident, hence the name.

Some No-Fault benefits:

• All No-Fault policies in New York are required to provide TOTAL coverage of no less than $50,000 for both medical costs and lost wages.
• No-Fault covers hospital and medical expenses.
• No-Fault covers lost wages at 80%, up to $1,000 per month (that’s the N.Y. minimum, some policies pay more) for a period not exceeding three years

What doesn’t No-Fault cover?

No-Fault does not apply to property damage claims. Such claims are usually paid for by the insurance carrier for the vehicle that caused the collision or by your carrier if you carried collision coverage.

No-Fault does NOT apply to motorcycles. Check out the explanation in my motorcycle insurance FAQs to see how motorcyclists are treated differently, or order a free copy of my book, “Would You Ride Your Motorcycle Naked?” It explains how many motorcyclists are riding “naked” because they don’t have the proper insurance coverage – and don’t even realize it.

It’s sad when accidents happen and people get injured. I think about Chris Ackley, the truck driver, just doing his job and probably a family and children relying on him at home.  He did nothing wrong, and yet he is now laying in a hospital bed.  No one yet knows why the accident happened, why the other driver left her lane. We have seen it happen many, many times in other cases. She could have been distracted by her cell phone, texting, changing the radio station, eating, or even putting on nail polish, the cause of a fatal accident I recently blogged about in the post “‘Nail Polish Crash’ Driver Sentenced for Causing Fatal Motorcycle Accident.”

Thanks for reading and please drive safely!

Adam

_______________________________
Adam M. Gee, Esq.
NY and PA Injury and Accident Attorney
The Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, NY  14901
Phone: (607)733-8866
Fax: (607)732-6062
Email: agee@zifflaw.com
www.zifflaw.com

Visit the NY Biker Law Blog at www.NYBikerLawBlog.com!

Southport Woman in Critical Condition After Crash

Reported by: Naveen Dhaliwal (ndhaliwal@wetmtv.com)

BIG FLATS – A Southport woman is in critical condition in Rochester.

The Chemung county sheriff says the crash happened about 10:15 am on Thursday morning on State Route 352 in the Town of Big Flats.

They say Christina Pappas of Southport was driving her jeep Cherokee westbound.  She veered into the eastbound lane and hit a Stroman’s bakery truck.

The Sheriff says the truck driver is 52-year-old Christopher Ackley.  Ackley is in stable condition at a local hospital.

Pappas is in critical condition in Rochester.  The Sheriff says the road was closed for about an hour and a half.  The road is open now.

Want to save money on car insurance?  It’s simple, really.  Just buy a car that has a low history of claims.  The insurance companies track all kinds of data including, on average, how much they pay out on claims per type of vehicle.  If you have one with a history of high claims they will charge you more.

For years, you used to hear that the Camaro was the most stolen car in America. It led to General Motors/Chevrolet developing the first “key with a chip” in the ’90s. Vehicle Anti-Theft Systems have gone far beyond an electronic resister built into the key.

Car makers have added alarms, keypad entry, engine immobilizers that prevent hot-wiring, VIN-etched windows, and tracking services like GM’s OnStar or Ford’s Rescu, to mention a few innovations. There is a slew of aftermarket anti-theft accessories too, from hidden engine kill switches to steering column collars and steering wheel locks.

Yet with all these precautions, hundreds of thousands of cars are stolen every year in the United States. The Highway Loss Data Institute just released a list of the Top 10 Most Stolen Cars. I came across the list and photos at CNNMoney.com recently.

The car companies know these cars are coveted and valuable. They are loaded with all the latest anti-theft technology.

Not only would any of these vehicles carry a hefty price tag at the dealership, they are going to cost you extra on your insurance premiums. Below, I’ve included the list of the Top 10 Most Stolen Cars, along with the average insurance payout per claim.

Insurance companies base their premiums on two things: The likelihood they’ll have to pay you, and what they expect to pay out if they DO have to pay you. So for any of these vehicles, it’s a double whammy. You will be paying a lot more for your insurance, even if you live in an area that feels safe and low-crime.

Higher Risk, Higher Premiums

Here’s the list of most stolen vehicles, with the Cadillac Escalade at No. 1. As you read this chart, I want you to keep in mind just one more figure … on average for all vehicle losses, insurance companies pay out $14 per passenger vehicle for theft claims in America. That means the Escalade costs the insurance companies 9 times the average cost in payouts. What do you think that does to the premiums they charge?!

Some people get a kick out of driving a car that’s coveted by other people. They catch people glancing at it, get asked about it and get to describe all its great features. And an advanced vehicle, with great safety features, may save you some money on your premiums for reducing the chance of serious injuries in an accident. Overall, however, there are vehicles which are safe, not showy, and a better choice if you want to save money on your car insurance.

My colleague, personal injury attorney Jim Reed wrote a great book, “Learn the Five Secrets to Buying Auto Insurance in NY”, which is full of tips and advice that will help youi choose your auto insurance. You can order it free from our firm by clicking on the link.

Thanks for reading,

Adam
_______________________________
Adam M. Gee, Esq.
NY and PA Injury and Malpractice Attorney
The Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, NY  14901
Phone: (607)733-8866
Fax: (607)732-6062
Email: agee@zifflaw.com
www.zifflaw.com

My book, “Would You Ride Your Motorcycle Naked?” It is available FREE to New York and Pennsylvania bikers; follow the link to order your copy today.

The Elmira Star Gazette reported that Steuben County officials identified the driver in a one car crash that occurred at about 5:00 A.M. on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, in Hornellsville.

Sheriff identifies driver in accident that injured 9

The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office named the driver in the one-car accident that injured nine teens Wednesday morning.

Six of the teens remain hospitalized today, deputies said.

The investigation is ongoing, the sheriff’s office said.

As I reported in an post earlier today, this terrible tragedy highlights a number of issues all parents need to consider.  Aside from the obvious concerns about underage drinking and teen drivers, an accident such as this with multiple victims raises several important questions regarding auto imsurance coverage.

Please take the time to read my earlier post, and do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions about your own coverage.  Many times coverage questions are asked after an accident occurs, and generally that is just too late.

Thanks for reading,

Christina

_________________________________
Christina Bruner Sonsire, Esq.
New York and Pennsylvania Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, New York 14902-1338
csonsire@zifflaw.com
Office: 607.733.8866
Toll-Free: 800.ZIFFLAW (943.3529)
Web: zifflaw.com
Blog: NYInjuryLawBlog.com

A horrific accident involving nine teenagers occurred at approximately 5:00 A.M. on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, in Steuben County, New York (near Corning).  Aside from highlighting the dangers associated with underage drinking and teen drivers, the accident raises several critical insurance coverage issues that every parent should understand.

According to the Elmira Star Gazette (full article pasted below, nine teens were injured in a one car accident in the Town of Hornellsville following an underage drinking party.

The parents of the nine injured teens are facing — or surely will face — tough questions with respect to how or if their children will be compensated as the teens begin the long road to recovery.

In general, parents of children injured in one-car motor vehicle accidents involving multiple passenger need to be aware of the following insurance coverage information:

1.  BASIC NO-FAULT COVERAGE – New York State Insurance Law requires every driver to provide at least $50,000 of Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) to each passenger of his vehicle regardless of whether he caused the accident or not.  This type of insurance is generally referred to as “No Fault Insurance” because it is triggered even if the driver was not at fault.

What does this mean?  Every passenger in a vehicle is entitled to $50,000 of PIP coverage under the driver’s insurance policy in the event the passenger is injured in an accident.  In general, PIP covers economic losses such as lost wages and medical bills.

Why is this important?  Here, assuming the driver had proper insurance coverage, all nine teens (the driver is entitled to PIP benefits as well) are likely entitled to receive up to $50,000 to compensate them for their economic loss.  In addition, a passenger may be able to collect No Fault PIP benefits under his own policy once PIP iunder teh driver’s policy is exhausted.  This is called “stacking” PIP coverage, and it often allows a passenger to receive up to $100,000 to cover economic loss.

2.  ADDITIONAL NO-FAULT COVERAGE — Residents of New York are also free to purchase additional No Fault coverage in the event they or members of their families are seriously injured in an accident and their economic losses exceed $50,000.  The two primary types of additional coverage are called Additional Personal Injury Protection (“APIP”) and Optional Basic Economic Loss Coverage (“OBEL”).

What does this mean?  If you or a family member are seriously injured in an accident and your economic loss — again, I am primarily talking about lost wages and medical benefits — exceed the available PIP coverage ($50,000), APIP and OBEL can be triggered to cover your excess expenses.  In addition, as a passenger you may be able to collect against the driver’s APIP and/or OBEL coverage, depending on how the policy is written.

Why is this important? According to the Star Gazette article, at least three of the teens suffered serious injuries and were helicoptered to Strong Memorial Hospital.  A helicopter ride alone generally costs around $2,500, and it is safe to assume the medical bills for these teens could approach $50,000 very quickly.

The passengers first need to determine whether the driver had APIP or OBEL coverage.  If so, it is possible the passengers could be compensated for additional economic loss under the driver’s policy, depending on how it was written.

Next, if the teens’ parents have APIP or OBEL coverage, the teens will likely be considered “Resident Relatives” and will meet the standard to be named an “eligible injured person” under their parents’ polices.  (Important tip — MAKE SURE YOU HAVE APIP AND OBEL NO FAULT COVERAGE.  At Ziff we are willing to review your insurance policy FOR FREE. Just stop in or email us a copy of your policy to info@zifflaw.com.)

3.   LIABILITY COVERAGE– In addition to no-fault coverage, New York State Insurance Law requires all drivers to carry at least $25,000/$50,000  liability coverage.  What does this mean?  It means every driver on the road in New York is required to provide at least $25,000 of coverage to any one injured person for non-economic loss(things like pain and suffering, serious disfigurement and loss of enjoyment of life) because of his negligence.  If more than one person is injured, the total maximum recovery is limited to $50,000 regardless of whether two people are hurt or whether 20 people are hurt.  If there are more than two people hurt, those people would have to split the $50,000 “pie”.

Of course, drivers are permitted to carry — and, in my opinion, SHOULD carry –  much higher liability coverage.  Why is this important?  In an accident such as this — where I am Read the rest…

I hate to say it, but car damage involving collisions, deer, snow and ice, floods, theft, vandalism, or other unfortunate events is much more common than any of us wish.  No one wants their car crashed, but since car damage tends to be an inevitable fact of car ownership, you need to know about the different types of car insurance that may (or may not) provide coverage.

What the REAL Questions Are:

• What do I do now that my car or truck has been damaged?
• Do I have insurance coverage for the damage?

Here are some tips to help you understand insurance and repair issues for your car or truck.  The information below is talking about coverage in New York but the coverage issues are similar in other states.  If in doubt about your state, talk to a knowledgeable agent or lawyer.

First, Notify Your Insurance Agent/Carrier of Your Damage ASAP

Because most insurance policies require prompt notification of any accident or damage as a requirement for coverage, you should immediately notify your insurance agent of the damage to your vehicle.  Make sure to document the date, time and person who you notified of the damage.  To be extra careful, it is a good idea to confirm your notice either in an e-mail or letter.  Better safe than sorry!

Once you have notified your agent, your experience will be shaped by the type of insurance coverage you purchased to cover any property damage to your vehicle.  Below is a discussion of some of the typical types of coverage:

Collision vs. Comprehensive Coverage

On your own car insurance policy, you can purchase insurance to protect your car from damage.

Collision Coverage protects you from accidents which are deemed your fault.  If you crash into another car, building, tree, etc., Collision coverage will pay to fix it.

Comprehensive Coverage protects you from damage to your car or truck caused by deer or other animal crashes, theft, flood, vandalism, or other events not involving collisions.  If your car is damaged by one of these events, your comprehensive coverage will reimburse you.

If you finance or lease your car, you will likely be required to purchase both Collision and Comprehensive coverage.  It is also a good idea to purchase this coverage if you have a relatively new car which would be expensive to repair or replace.  The cost of Collision or Comprehensive coverage can be reduced by increasing your deductible, which is the amount you have to pay yourself before the insurance company must start paying for damage or loss.

Glass Coverage

This coverage pays for damaged glass to your car and often this coverage has a $0 (zero) deductible.

GAP (Guaranteed Auto Protection) Insurance

If your car or truck is crashed and “totaled” (cannot be repaired for less than its value), then you might end up owing more to your bank or lease company than your insurance will pay you for your car.  Insurance must pay the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of the car, which is often much less than you owe because vehicles depreciate in value quickly.  GAP insurance will make up the difference so that you do not end up upside down on your loan or lease.  If the ACV is $10,000, but you owe $15,000 on your loan or lease, GAP insurance makes up the $5,000 shortfall.

Tips for Cars That Have Been Declared a “Total Loss”

If the insurance company decides that your car will cost more to fix than its ACV, it will be considered a “total loss.”  If the car was totaled because of a collision caused by another driver, you can make an insurance claim against that driver or with your Collision coverage.  Talk to your attorney and insurance agent to decide which would be best for you.

When your car is declared a total loss, consider the following:

• Tell the appraiser about recent repairs and special equipment on the car.  Make sure that all of your car’s options and upgrades have been included in the appraisal and the car’s condition was properly rated.
• Research car values and sales on the Internet.  Do not accept the first offer – negotiate a fair price.
• Insist on a fair number of days in the rental car to allow you to find a new car.

Tips for Fixing Your Wrecked Car

The insurance company may try to steer you to their “approved shop.”  Beware of the potential conflict of interest.  If the shop does substantial work for the insurance company, there may be a motive to cut costs in repairing your car.

You have the right to choose where your car will be repaired.  Get a referral from someone you trust.  Check references and research the shop’s reputation. With that said, I don’t mean to imply that all “approved shops” are necessarily bad. For example, Elm Chevy and Gary’s Body Shop are good examples of reputable dealers who work with State Farm, Allstate, Erie, etc.

Using an approved shop sometimes eliminates the need for an adjustor to come out and see your car, especially with small claims like deer or fender benders.  But YES, the customer can go anywhere they want to fix their car.

Also, be sure to ask what parts will be used in the repair, Manufacturer Parts, After-Market Parts (non-Manufacturer but new), or Used Parts from a junk yard.  Although your insurance policy usually governs what type of parts can be used, you have a right to know what will be used and why.

If the collision was the fault of another driver, you can choose to go through the other driver’s policy or your own Collision coverage to get the car fixed.  Talk to your insurance agent, attorney and body shop about which would be better given your situation.

Rental Car Coverage

Not all policies have rental car coverage, so it is important that you carefully review your policy to see the exact terms of your coverage.

My thanks to Peter Wallin at Wallin Insurance for his input on this post.

I hope this helps you understand the confusing world of car damage coverage.  Feel free to post any questions you may have in the comments below or E-mail me at jreed@zifflaw.com.

Thanks for reading,
Jim
_________________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
Personal Injury & Malpractice Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866  Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com http://www.zifflaw.com

E-mail me at FreeReports@zifflaw.com for two free books:
NY Car Accidents and NY Car Insurance Secrets YOU Need to Know.

A question I am frequently asked is: Can my insurance company raise my premium due to an accident or traffic ticket?

The answer is YES, unfortunately.

I want to share details about this answer from the official N.Y. Insurance Department website. It’s important for drivers to understand just how the insurance companies justify charging you more and the terminology they use.

Such an increase is known as a surcharge. Surcharges are based on the fact that a driver who has previously been at fault in one or more accidents, or has a record of traffic convictions, has an increased likelihood of being involved in future accidents.

Insurers “classify” drivers according to criteria such as:

• Age
• Location
• Vehicle type and mileage

To further refine those classifications, many insurers use “merit rating plans,” a point system in which increases are applied according to an individual driver’s record (traffic convictions and accidents).

Surcharges are applied to liability (bodily injury and property damage), collision and no-fault (PIP) coverages, and are only allowed for:

• Accidents involving bodily injury, or losses to property in excess of the accident reporting threshold ($1,000), where the insured driver is at fault, or
• Convictions for certain violations which are chargeable under the Insurance Law.

No-one intends to get a traffic ticket or have a car accident. A surcharge may seem almost like a punishment, but it really a way for the insurance company to balance premiums against risk.

A surcharge is used as a tool to properly price the exposure the insurer is writing, NOT as a means to recoup payment made under a claim.

Another important point: The total dollar amount paid as the result of a claim does not affect the surcharge. For example: An insured person being surcharged for a particular accident will pay the same amount regardless if the damages were $10,ooo or $50,000.

Thanks for reading,

Jim

_________________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
Personal Injury & Malpractice Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866 Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com www.zifflaw.com

E-mail me at FreeReports@zifflaw.com for two free books:
NY Car Accidents and NY Car Insurance Secrets YOU Need to Know.

For all of us who have teenage drivers in the house, I just read a great post by NY Insurance coverage expert Roy Mura entitled: Suing the Kid for Crashing the Car Into the Garage. I strongly urge you to read Roy’s full post but the highlights are below:

Roy was asked: Can an unemancipated child be held “legally responsible” to a parent for crashing mom’s car into the garage?

He answered: In New York, the answer is yes. In 1969, in the case of Gelbman v. Gelbman, the New York Court of Appeals abolished the intrafamily immunity doctrine and permitted a mother to sue her unemancipated minor son for injuries she had sustained in an auto accident while riding as a passenger in a car her son was driving. Gelbman remains “good law” in New York.

But then Roy went on to ask the really relevant and practical question: Is there insurance coverage for the kid crashing the car into the garage?

Roy answered by saying that there probably is coverage for damage to the garage (but not its contents) under a homeowner’s policy and “there would also be liability coverage favoring the child under a personal auto policy that provides coverage for “damages for … ‘property damage’ for which any ‘insured’ becomes legally responsible because of an auto accident.”

Roy’s parting tongue-in-cheek comment is that while you might be able to successfully sue your kid for wrecking your car and your garage, and even though there might be insurance coverage to cover it, you might face non-renewal of your insurance coverage when your policy is up for renewal. That certainly is food for thought…

Thanks for reading, Jim
______________________________

James B. Reed, Esq.
Personal Injury & Malpractice Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14901
Tel: (607) 733-8866
Fax: (607) 732-6062
Toll Free: 1-800-943-3529
Email: jreed@zifflaw.com
Web: http://www.zifflaw.com

Please visit the New York Injury Law Blog at: http://www.NYInjuryLawBlog.com

Email me at FreeReports@zifflaw.com for two free books:
NY Car Accidents and NY Car Insurance Secrets YOU Need to Know.

Like saving money? Who doesn’t! (Especially in this economic climate!)

I just received a compelling money-saving tip from my good friend Peter Wallin, of Wallin Insurance in Elmira.

Peter’s most recent edition of the Wallin Insurance Newsletter included a tip about the New York state Defensive Driving Class – a class that can save you 10% on your auto insurance. Maybe you’ve heard of the class before, but the latest twist is that the course is now offered ONLINE.You don’t even have to leave your house to become a better driver!

The New York DMV-approved test is offered online at a number of sites. The one recommended by Wallin Insurance is I Drive Safely, www.idrivesafely.com.

Here is Peter’s personal assessment of the class:

1. It does take 6 hours but you can take breaks along the way – you actually have 30 days to complete the course from the comfort of your own home.
2. There are videos and cool demonstrations that make it interesting.
3. There are 6 modules with quizzes at the end of each. If you pay attention to the material it’s fairly easy.
4. The class has a unique voice verification system where they call you several times during the class to confirm that YOU are actually taking the class yourself.
5. Once you complete the class your official certificate will be mailed to you – and it’s good for 3 years.

The cost of the class is $48.95. All the drivers in a household can take the course, and it can save each 10% on their current auto insurance rate for 3 years.

In addition, Wallin Insurance is even offering a $20 personal refund for clients who take the test.

It’s only smart – save and play it safe!

You can e-mail Peter Wallin at Peter@WallinInsurance.com and visit www.wallininsurance.com to sign up for the newsletter yourself.

Thanks for reading,
Jim
_________________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
NY Accident Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866 Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com http://www.zifflaw.com

I recently met with Assemblywoman Donna A. Lupardo (D-Endwell) on behalf of the New York State Trial Lawyers. It was wonderful to meet with Assemblywoman Lupardo, in part because we got to discuss briefly an issue that is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to all New York State drivers.

What SUM means for drivers

Many New York residents are unaware of the imperative to purchase Supplemental Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist (SUM) coverage.

What SUM provides is coverage from your insurance company to protect you and your passengers if the other driver is driving illegally without insurance, or driving with policy limits that are not high enough to cover your damages.

New York state requires insurance companies to offer this coverage, up to the amount of liability coverage on your vehicle. However, the insurance company does not have to automatically increase a motorist’s SUM limits to equal their liability limits. (Things are different in Pennsylvania, where I also practice. There, SUM limits increase automatically with liability limits.)

Now, legislation has been introduced by Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow (D-Westchester) that would make insurance companies do the same in New York State.

On Assemblywoman Lupardo’s request, I’ve sent her a copy of my book, “Learn the Five Deadly Mistakes that Can Kill Your Accident Case.” I’ve let her know of my support for this new legislation. I think it’s vital coverage that many of my clients over the past 23 years could have benefited from.

As I wrote to Assemblywoman Lupardo, it only makes sense that if you are going to purchase additional liability coverage to protect others, you certainly would want to make sure that you and your own family have the same coverage in the event of being injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver.

I urge my readers to let your state assembly representatives know that this consumer protection legislation is important to you. If you would like to know more about this issue, visit the Ziff Law Firm website to request a free copy of my book for yourself, or e-mail me directly. Don’t hesitate – I know from experience that very few people know about or have SUM coverage. The premiums are low, but the consequences are high if you don’t have SUM insurance.

Thanks for reading,
Jim
_________________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
Personal Injury & Malpractice Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866 Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com http://www.zifflaw.com

One in six drivers won't have insurance.

Every day it seems that there are crazy new consequences of the recession.

• Boaters are sinking their own boats to avoid paying slip and maintenance fees.

• People are letting their horses go free to avoid paying boarding and feed costs.

• Libraries are becoming physical and emotional support centers.

Times are VERY tough. As a personal injury lawyer in New York and Pennyslvania, one of the scariest stories I’ve heard is that the recession is causing drivers to let their auto insurance lapse.

But it’s the law, not a luxury!

MSN.com just reported that a new study found 1 in 6 motorists won’t have auto insurance coverage by the end of the year.

The news story “Economy leaves millions of drivers uninsured” told how the Insurance Research Council predicts a sharp increase in the number of uninsured motorists on the road, a direct consequence of the economic downturn.

More than 16% percent of drivers will be uninsured. That’s about 33 million drivers in the U.S.

I don’t know about you, but I DON’T like those odds.

I wrote a book about auto insurance in New York. I put the most important things I learned during more than 20 years as a New York personal injury attorney into it.

“Learn the Five Secrets to Buying Auto Insurance in NY” explains how you can protect yourself from uninsured drivers by purchasing a special type of insurance. It’s even more vital for you to know about this coverage now – when the chance is high that you could be in an accident with an uninsured driver.

The SUM secret

I’ve long considered Supplementary Under-/Uninsured Motorists the MOST IMPORTANT COVERAGE you can buy.

SUM coverage is not popular with insurance companies because the premiums are low and the potential payouts are high. ASK YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY REP ABOUT SUM COVERAGE.

SUM will cover you and your passengers in the event that the other driver is driving illegally without insurance, or driving without adequate insurance to cover your damages.

The recession is one more reason why EVERYONE must be sure they have adequate SUM coverage. You CANNOT count on the other guy have sufficient coverage to protect you and your family.

I know I’ve beat this drum before, but the tune has changed. I can’t stress the SUM subject too many times – especially in light of this new research.

Be safe,

Jim
_________________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
Personal Injury & Malpractice Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866 Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com http://www.zifflaw.com

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