After a car crash, you might assume the at-fault driver’s insurance will cover everything from car repairs to medical bills. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, even when the other driver is fully insured.
In Alabama, the minimum auto insurance requirements haven’t kept pace with real-world costs. As a result, coverage can run out much faster than people expect.
When coverage runs out before the bills are paid
It doesn’t take a catastrophic crash to exceed minimum coverage. A single emergency room visit can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Newer vehicles often cost $40,000 or more to replace. Add in follow-up care, physical therapy, or lost wages, and minimum insurance limits can be exhausted quickly.
When that happens, the remaining bills don’t disappear. Injured people are often left relying on their own insurance, dipping into savings, or delaying care while they try to figure out what to do next. Nationwide, insurance covers only about half of the total cost of motor vehicle crashes, leaving the rest to fall on individuals and families.
“But I wasn’t at fault…”
A frustrating reality for crash victims. Even when another driver clearly caused the collision, your insurance policy may simply not be large enough to cover all the harm they caused. Being “not at fault” doesn’t guarantee full compensation if the available coverage is limited.
Do higher insurance minimums mean higher premiums?
Many people worry that requiring more coverage would dramatically raise insurance costs. However, states that have raised their minimum limits have generally seen modest premium increases, often smaller than national averages, with no increase in uninsured drivers. Insurance costs are driven more by crash frequency and repair costs than by minimum coverage levels.
What this means for you
Auto insurance is meant to protect people when the unexpected happens. When minimum coverage falls short, you may need to look beyond the at-fault driver’s policy.
If you’ve been injured in a car crash and insurance isn’t covering all your expenses, I’m here to help. Let’s talk—it costs nothing.