Can I still get covered for my damages?
2007-05-02 03:43:51 · 6 answers · asked by Goddess Amore 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
If the accident is clearly not your fault, of course you can get covered for your damages - AS LONG AS the driver that hit you has valid liability coverage.
Now as for you not being an insured driver in DC - do you have insurance on your vehicle anywhere? If so, you (your vehicle) are covered as long as you are driving anywhere in the United States, and possibly some minor distance into Mexico. If you are not insured anywhere, including DC - you are an uninsured motorist, and it's best to get some insurance. Otherwise, if you get into an accident and it is your fault, you will be considered an uninsured motorist, and they will come after you for reimbursement for all costs (and if the other party is injured, that amount they will come after you for could potentially become very hefty.)
2007-05-02 04:18:34 · answer #1 · answered by S17V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The other driver has to cover your damages--it doesn't matter whether you have insurance or not. Of course, the officer investigating the accident could inform MVA that you are uninsured if you don't have insurance at all, which would cost you a bunch of money. But the car damages are the other driver's responsibility.
The only problem I can forsee is that insurance agents usually argue about the fault of an accident and figure out who to blame between themselves so that people can get paid without going to court all the time. If fault is at all questionable, and you have no insurance company to fight for you, the other guy's insurance could stall or wait for you to sue before taking care of you. Most auto insurance companies don't play those games though, so I think you have nothing to worry about.
2007-05-02 10:54:29 · answer #2 · answered by wayfaroutthere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll need to check state law, or DC law in this case. Some states have "No Play, No Pay" laws, meaning that if you are uninsured your ability to collect from an at-fault driver is severely restricted or denied altogether. In LA, for example, you can recover nothing, not even for your personal injuries. In TX you can recover your personal injuries but not the damage to your vehicle.
Even if you are not barred from recovering damages, don't expect any cooperation from the other driver or their insurance company. Part of what you pay your premuim for is for is the weight and experience of the insurance company's legal department. Since you are uninsured, you'll have to fight this every step of the way on your own or hire an attorney at your own expense. You should probably expect this to drag out for months or even years.
Of course, in a no-fault state, you're hung out to dry completely without insurance.
2007-05-02 14:49:27 · answer #3 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you insured anywhere? If you are insured in New Jersey and get into an accident in DC you are covered. If you aren't covered anywhere you should be otherwise you will be working forever to pay for someone elses fault.
2007-05-02 10:47:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you got in an accident and it wasn't your fault, you should not be liable for any damages. As long as you have at least basic liability coverage for the vehicle you are driving everything is fine.
If you are driving without insurance at all, then you should receive a ticket and a hefty fine. Driving without insurance is just plain wrong, as it drives up the rates for those of us who do pay for insurance.
2007-05-02 11:00:44 · answer #5 · answered by scubamike_1468 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GET OFF THE ROAD
2007-05-02 16:57:16 · answer #6 · answered by sterling m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋