Understanding Auto Insurance: Why You Need More Than the Minimum Coverage
When you’re behind the wheel, you want to believe that your insurance coverage will protect you in the event of a crash. But the legal minimum coverage often falls short of what you really need.
Frank Eskesen has seen firsthand how insufficient coverage leaves individuals vulnerable, especially after serious accidents. As an experienced automobile accident attorney, he knows that understanding your policy limits and the benefits of additional protection can make all the difference when it matters most.
Minimum Coverage Only Goes So Far
While minimum coverage might meet legal requirements, it often leaves drivers exposed to significant out-of-pocket costs after an accident. If you're hit by someone without insurance or suffer injuries that exceed the other driver's limits, you could be left paying the difference.
Many drivers don't realise the financial gap until it's too late—especially when medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs start piling up. Taking a closer look at what’s actually covered can help you decide if it’s time to consider additional protection.
What State-Mandated Minimums Usually Include
Most states require drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. This type of coverage helps pay for injuries or damage you cause to others. However, it typically doesn’t cover your own medical expenses or vehicle repairs. In many cases, it also excludes uninsured motorist protection or personal injury protection.
Bodily injury liability: Covers injuries to other people when you’re at fault, but often with low payout limits
Property damage liability: Pays for damage to someone else's vehicle or property, but rarely enough to cover today’s high repair costs
Even though carrying the minimum may keep you legal, it may not keep you protected.
Real-Life Consequences of Minimum Coverage
Minimum coverage sounds like a practical solution—until there’s a major collision. If you're seriously hurt and the other driver has only basic insurance, or none at all, you may be left holding the bill. As any automobile accident attorney will tell you, your ability to recover damages depends on the insurance in place.
For example, a multi-vehicle crash that results in hospital stays, surgery, and missed work can easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you only have the minimum coverage, your insurance might only pay out a fraction of those expenses. That leaves your personal assets at risk.
The Real Cost of an Accident
Even a short trip to the emergency room can result in thousands of dollars in medical bills, especially if diagnostic tests or follow-up care are needed. On top of that, vehicle repairs often involve costly parts and labour, particularly for newer models with advanced technology.
If your injuries prevent you from working, the loss of income can add even more pressure. These financial hits can be overwhelming without enough insurance to back you up.
Why Medical and Repair Bills Add Up Fast
Accidents today come with a high price tag, even when injuries appear minor at first. Medical treatment, property damage, and lost income all stack up quickly.
Injuries suffered in car accidents: These may include whiplash, back injuries, neck injuries, broken bones, and internal bleeding
Emergency services and hospital stays: Ambulance rides, ER visits, and overnight care can rack up tens of thousands in costs
Auto repair or vehicle replacement: A damaged frame, deployed airbags, or engine damage often means the car is totaled
Lost income from missed work: Even short-term injuries may result in weeks of lost wages, especially for physically demanding jobs
When these costs exceed your insurance limits, you become financially responsible for the rest.
Why Lawsuits Are a Real Possibility
If another party is injured and your coverage doesn't pay enough to meet their needs, they can sue you for the remainder. This includes medical bills, emotional damages, or even long-term care. Any automobile accident attorney will stress the importance of protecting your financial future with higher policy limits and extra coverage.
Additional Coverage Types That Offer Greater Protection
One of the most valuable ways to strengthen your auto policy is by adding uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This type of protection helps cover your expenses if you're involved in an accident with a driver who has little or no insurance.
It can pay for medical treatment, lost wages, and even pain and suffering when the at-fault driver can't. Without this coverage, you might have to rely on your own health insurance or pay out of pocket, which can be financially draining after a serious crash.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Not everyone on the road is carrying adequate insurance. Some have none at all. This type of coverage protects you if you're hit by someone who can’t pay for your damages.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: Pays for your medical bills and sometimes property damage if you're hit by a driver with no insurance
Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage: Helps cover the gap when the at-fault driver’s insurance is too low to fully cover your expenses
With so many uninsured drivers on the road, this additional protection isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Collision and Comprehensive Coverage
While liability coverage only helps others, these options focus on your vehicle.
Collision coverage: Helps pay for your own car’s damage, even if you're at fault
Comprehensive coverage: Covers damage not caused by a crash, such as theft, vandalism, fire, or weather-related events
If your car is newer, leased, or financed, these policies are especially valuable. They help protect your investment and prevent you from paying out of pocket for costly repairs.
Medical Payments and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
These options help you and your passengers receive medical care regardless of who caused the accident.
Medical payments coverage (MedPay): Helps with doctor visits, hospital bills, and ambulance fees
Personal injury protection (PIP): May cover medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, and even funeral costs
Some states make PIP mandatory, but it’s a good option even where it’s not required. An automobile accident attorney can help you determine which form of coverage fits your needs.
How Insurance Affects Personal Injury Cases
Insurance coverage directly impacts your ability to recover damages through a personal injury claim. Whether you’re suing someone else or filing a claim with your own provider, the amount of insurance available shapes the outcome.
Higher limits can cover long-term medical care: Serious injuries may require extended treatment, surgeries, or physical therapy
Coverage may pay for lost earning potential: Some injuries result in long-term or permanent disability, reducing future income
More coverage creates options: When insurance is available, lawyers can negotiate settlements without dragging cases through trial
Frank Eskesen, an automobile accident attorney at The Eskesen Law Firm, regularly works with clients who didn’t realize their coverage gaps until it was too late. More coverage leads to stronger outcomes in court or at the negotiation table.
Why You Need Legal Advice After a Crash
Accident victims often don’t know which coverage applies to their case, or how to begin the claims process. Working with an automobile accident attorney makes it easier to understand your options and take the right steps forward.
They review all available policies: Including the at-fault party’s coverage, your own insurance, and third-party carriers
They explain how state laws apply: Every state has different rules for fault, liability, and what damages can be claimed
They help avoid delays and denials: Insurers may try to minimize or reject claims—legal support helps push back
How to Evaluate the Right Policy for You
Your insurance should reflect your risk level, lifestyle, and financial priorities. There's no one-size-fits-all policy.
Your daily commute and driving habits: More miles often means more risk of accidents
Whether your car is paid off or financed: Financed vehicles often require comprehensive coverage
Your assets and income level: If you have significant savings or property, you're a bigger target for lawsuits
Meeting with an automobile accident attorney before updating your insurance can help clarify what’s truly at stake.
Questions to Ask When Reviewing Your Policy
You can’t make informed choices without understanding what’s currently in place. Ask these key questions:
What are my current coverage limits, and are they enough?
Do I have uninsured or underinsured motorist protection?
What happens if I’m at fault in a serious accident?
How much would it cost to increase my coverage?
What’s excluded from my policy?
The answers may reveal large gaps that could create problems in the future. A lawyer can walk through these points and offer guidance that fits your situation.
Peace of Mind in High-Stress Moments
After an accident, the last thing you want to do is worry about paying for medical bills, replacing your car, or missing work. Having more than the minimum coverage reduces those worries and lets you focus on healing.
You won’t second-guess treatment decisions: People often delay care when they’re unsure about cost
Your recovery won’t stall: Additional coverage can include physical therapy and mental health support
You avoid debt and financial hardship: Hospital bills and lost wages won’t follow you for years
An automobile accident attorney sees the emotional toll that underinsurance causes—and how avoidable it can be.
Real Stories of Coverage Gaps
At The Eskesen Law Firm, clients regularly come forward with stories of stress that could have been prevented:
Two sisters with severe injuries and surgeries were hit by a driver with inadequate coverage. Luckily, they have some underinsured motorist coverage, but they wished they had purchased more before the accident.
A woman rear-ended by a state-minimum driver, who sustained a broken leg with surgery. Although she had some underinsured coverage, it was not enough.
A young woman riding a bicycle was hit by a state-minimum-insured vehicle, sustaining a fractured arm with surgery. Unfortunately, her own auto policy was also state-minimum, so she was unable to obtain more. She was surprised to learn that he auto policy would have provided her more coverage had she opted for it—even though she was riding a bicycle and not in her car.
Each story reinforces one point: having more coverage doesn’t just protect your car—it protects your future.
Contact Us Today
Auto accidents can happen without warning, and insurance is your safety net when they do. At The Eskesen Law Firm, Frank Eskesen is ready to review your case and help you understand what coverage you need and how it impacts your legal options. We proudly serve clients in New York, New York. If you've been hurt in a collision or want legal advice about a claim, speak to an automobile accident attorney today.overage