No one gets into a vehicle expecting that they will be injured (or worse) in a crash that day. Unfortunately, the sad truth for all Wisconsin drivers and passengers is that even the safest drivers might be injured in a motor vehicle accident – because we can’t control someone else’s driving behavior.
For most of us, driving or riding in a motor vehicle of some kind is part of our daily lives. With this reality in mind, it’s important to know what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones before an accident. In this post, we’ll discuss a few tips and actions you can take now to help yourself and your family in the event you are injured in an accident.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in Wisconsin
Wisconsin law requires vehicle owners to maintain a minimum amount of liability and uninsured motorist coverage, which is currently set at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident (Wis. Stats. §§ 344.15(1) and 632.32(4)).
Liability insurance provides coverage to you for injuries and damages you cause if you’re found to be the majority at-fault in an accident. Uninsured motorist insurance provides coverage to you in case you’re injured in an accident where the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance at all, or cannot be located.
The per person limit of $25,000 means that the most any one person could receive in compensation for their injuries under a state minimum policy is $25,000. The limit of $50,000 per accident requirement sets the limit for the total amount that will be paid by an insurance company under a state minimum for injuries in an accident regardless of the number of people injured.
Practically speaking, if you’re in an accident, are transported by ambulance to the emergency room, and undergo some x-rays and CT scans, it’s entirely possible that you may have already incurred close to $20,000 before you’ve even made it home after the accident – let alone if you need further treatment after the ER visit.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself Before an Accident?
1. Review Your Auto Insurance Coverages Regularly
The first thing you can do is take a look at the Declarations Page of your auto insurance policy to determine what coverages you have and what the limits are on each different type of coverage.
Because insurance premiums aren’t free, you have to make a judgment call for yourself as to what you need and can afford based on your budget. However, insurance coverage shouldn’t be a “set it and forget it” expense. As you move through life, your family and financial circumstances will change and your insurance coverage needs might change, too.
Re-evaluate your coverage when:
- You get a new vehicle
- You get a raise or a new job
- You graduate high school or college
- You add a driver to your policy
- You have or adopt children
- You move to a new state
2. Maintain Sufficient Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is required under Wisconsin law. However, maintaining only the state minimum amount could put you in a bad position if you’re significantly injured by an uninsured motorist. You should always have at least as much UM coverage as you do in liability coverage – if you’re willing to protect others, make sure you protect yourself and your passengers, too.
3. Add Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM)
Underinsured motorist coverage provides additional recovery if you’re injured by a driver whose insurance limits are not sufficient to fully compensate you. While not mandatory in Wisconsin, it’s highly recommended.
UIM coverage in Wisconsin often includes a reducing clause, which means the payout is reduced by what you receive from the at-fault party’s insurer. Even so, it’s another layer of protection worth having.
4. Add Medical Payments Coverage
Medical payments coverage can pay for or reimburse medical expenses after an accident, regardless of fault. Policy limits typically range from $1,000 to $25,000, and apply to the named insured and passengers in the vehicle. This can minimize out-of-pocket medical expenses.
5. Add an Umbrella Policy
An umbrella policy provides at least $1,000,000 in additional liability coverage and often extends to UM and UIM policies. You typically need $250,000–$500,000 in liability coverage on your auto policy first. This extra layer of protection helps safeguard your financial future in serious accidents.
In Summary
While you can’t always prevent an accident, you can take meaningful steps to protect yourself by maximizing your auto insurance coverages and understanding what each policy provides.
Turke & Steil’s Personal Injury Team: Not your typical injury lawyers.