Complying with the requirements of the underinsured motorist coverage in Michigan is very important.
Accidents happen every day. Nobody can predict when an accident may happen. However, even if you cannot predict when the accident may happen, you may at least prepare for it.
In the article Everything You Need To Know About The Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance in Michigan, we have discussed accidental death and dismemberment insurance in Michigan. Since the release of that article, we have received a lot of calls and queries about the other kinds of insurance that are available in the state of Michigan.
To reiterate, in the United States, accidents are the third leading cause of death. For people between the age of 25 to 44, it is often the cause of death. Of course, this is why it makes sense to have a comprehensive insurance policy that could cover your needs, or your family’s needs when an accident happens.
Here at Haque Legal, it is our goal to make sure that you have the protection you need in times of trouble. We want to answer all of your questions and therefore we have created this article series that would discuss everything you need to know about car insurance coverage in the state of Michigan.
In this part, we will continue the discussion on the second part of the article Everything You Need To Know About Car Insurance Coverage in Michigan: Underinsured Motorist Coverage. Let us continue.
Comply With The Insurance Company’s Deadline Requirements
When you get insurance, you are given a contract by the insurance company. This contract aims to provide you with information on the terms of your contract. This is very important for a handful of reasons. First, it is because UIM insurance is not mandatory. Hence, it is under the right of the insurance company to set reasonable deadlines and you will agree to. Second, your UIM auto insurance company is allowed by law to set shorter filing deadlines.
What do I do if I am unable to meet the deadline?
We have said time and again in most of our articles that the first best thing that you can do when you are involved in a car accident in Southfield or the surrounding areas, is to contact your lawyer right away. This is to make sure that you will not miss any deadline set by the insurance company and you have someone to review your contract terms for you.
Review The Contract Policy Thoroughly
Before we go into the process of claiming, you need to make sure that you review your UIM contract policy thoroughly. We have said that you always need a lawyer for this one. But, if you think that you can handle it, you need to make sure that you watch out for the provisions that could mean deductions on your claim.
For example, in some insurance claims relating to UIM that we have handled, we have seen that the “set-off” provisions can come back and bite you. Many auto insurance companies in Michigan leave out the part where you need to deduct from your UIM benefits any payments that have been made to you for your no-fault personal injury protection benefits coverage, which are two entirely separate and distinct insurance coverage in Michigan.
Can I just settle with the at-fault driver?
Yes, you can settle with your at-fault driver. Your at-fault driver may talk to you about settling and you may decide to do so, subject to the requirements and limitations set by the law.
Get the approval of the Insurance Company
Some insurance companies require you to get their approval first before you settle any of the claims against the at-fault driver. This is to ensure that the rights of your UIM insurance company to go after the other parties will not be trampled upon.
In this part, you need the written permission of the insurance company. We repeat, the written permission must be given, and not just an oral okay or a verbal approval on a phone fall.
Our Experience
Here at Haque Legal, our Southfield personal injury lawyers like to believe that we have seen it all. In some of the cases that we have handled and in some of the court proceedings that we have attended we have seen some lawyers commits a mistake and be charged with malpractice because they failed to get written permission from the insurance company before accepting any kind of settlement coming from the other parties or the driver at fault.
We always tell our clients and our readers that any kind of approval coming from your insurance company should be provided in written form and not just a gentleman’s agreement.
Michigan courts are very strict in this matter. They have ruled time and again that the failure of the lawyer and of the victim to seek the insurance or obtain the approval of the insurance provider, when it is required, will likely void the coverage and disqualify them from recovering anything.
Contact Your Insurance Company
If you have been involved in a car collision in Michigan, make sure that you are protected. By contacting your insurance company, you will have what you need in terms of their decision and see if they just need a little nudge in the right direction.
If the answer of the insurance company is not positive on your claim, then you need to make sure that you will get going with your complaint.
A lawyer can help you get started with your claim. A lawyer at Haque Legal will see to it that your needs are met from beginning to the end of the proceedings. You are always in good hands with Haque Legal and what it has to offer.
Disclaimer:
The article that you have read is based on general applications of the law. It is not legal advice and it is not to be construed as any legal consultation with the firm. No client-attorney relationship is created when you read the articles we have provided.
Let us help you out.
If you are having trouble with filing an insurance claim or have been in an auto accident in Michigan, call us immediately. If you have any problem with the law or are seeking justice and truth, our numbers are standing by to take your call.
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