Insurance law … stay awake, this is important!!

I know, I know. It’s bad enough that I used the word “insurance” in the title, but “insurance law,” that is a real challenge!! Stay with me on this.

I have been honored to represent a number of LEOs after they suffered injuries in their personal and government vehicles. In the vast majority of those cases, the at-fault driver did not have insurance or did not have sufficient insurance to compensate the LEO for the injuries suffered in the wreck. This is probably not a surprise to most of you. LEOs are often injured by DUI drivers, especially while on duty.

“Under Insured” or “Uninsured motorist” coverage, AKA UM coverage, provides insurance coverage for LEOs in these situations. This coverage, on your personal vehicle, will cover you even in a government vehicle. Even though workers compensation will pay your medical bills and lost wages if you are injured on duty, this UM coverage can help compensate you for lost part-time job income, scars, disabilities, pain and suffering and loss of consortium or injuries suffered by your spouse. 

So, I recommend that you increase the UM coverage on your personal vehicle insurance coverage. You will find that the increase in coverage will be relatively cheap. Your UM coverage should be a minimum of $100,000. Your insurance agent may require you to also increase your primary coverage as well, but your primary coverage should also be a minimum of $100,000.

When you increase your UM coverage, make certain that you insist on “added UM coverage.” Insurance companies have different names for this “added UM coverage,” but you simply must insist that the UM coverage that you have will be available to you IN ADDITION to the insurance coverage of the at-fault driver.

If you are an FOP member, you can use this opportunity to take advantage of the member discounts. Go to the Georgia FOP website for information on the discounts or to join the FOP.

Feel free to contact me with any specific questions. With a small amount of preparation and a slight increase in insurance premiums, you can protect yourself and your family.

Stay safe.