Some people get seriously hurt in car crashes, and collisions are also a leading cause of death across the country. Someone who doesn’t get hurt in a collision probably feels pretty fortunate, especially if their vehicle suffered significant damage.
The majority of car crashes that occur in Kentucky only result in property damage, not major injuries to the people involved. It is common for people to assume that they can count on insurance to fix or replace their vehicle, but not everyone gets the financial compensation they expect after a crash.
There are limits to coverage
Every driver in Kentucky has to meet state rules for liability coverage, which means they need to carry at least $25,000 in property damage protection.
Plenty of drivers choose to invest in more coverage than that, but the most that someone can receive in an insurance claim depends on the property damage coverage of the other driver. Those who have added underinsured motorist protection to their policies or collision coverage may be able to supplement the other driver’s coverage with their own.
What kinds of property damage contribute to the claim?
The most obvious costs that someone can cover with property damage liability coverage is the cost to repair the vehicle or to purchase a new one when the vehicle involved in the crash is no longer safe to drive. People can also use property damage coverage for secondary costs when there is sufficient insurance.
The policy could pay to tow someone’s vehicle and to provide a replacement vehicle while there’s is in the shop in some cases. People can also make claims related to the diminished value of a vehicle that undergoes repairs. The record of the crash will reduce how much the vehicle is worth on the resale market, and a diminished value claim can compensate the owner of the vehicle for that financial loss.
Getting the maximum amount possible in a property damage claim requires an understanding of what costs may be eligible and what the policy can offer. Pursuing the maximum amount of compensation with the assistance of an experienced legal professional is typically a smart move for those affected by a Kentucky car crash.