5. Computing your liability - An auto insurance example

Although car insurance is legally required by all states, the coverage provided by different policies can vary dramatically, such that even an insured motorist can end up paying large amounts of money out-of-pocket. Consider the following example involving Zach, who has a family auto policy (FAP) that provides liability coverage with limits of 15/30/15, no medical payment insurance, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with limits of 1/2. He has collision and comprehensive auto insurance, both with a deductible of $100.

Suppose one day Zach fails to notice a red light, causing him to blind-side another car crossing the intersection. Fortunately, he is not badly injured, but the medical bill for his hospital examination nonetheless amounts to $624. The driver of the other car, a woman named Kim, suffered severe injuries from the direct impact of the accident. She required surgery and a hospital stay and then additional procedures in the months that followed. Her medical bills, plus compensation for being unable to work, totaled $32,634. Kims insurance company successfully filed a claim against Zach, exercising subrogation rights.

Coverage A of Zachs plan will reimburse him with for Kims medical bills. Zachs medical bills are .

Zachs car was relatively unharmed by the collision but required $800 in minor repairs; Kims car was destroyed, making Zach liable for paying the $9,300 replacement value. Kims car was pushed onto a nearby sidewalk on impact, destroying a nearby lawn and causing additional damage to a parked car. This damage totaled $7,254.

Zachs liability coverage also will reimburse him for up to $

in property damage, so he is responsible for paying out-of-pocket in property liability damages. Which of the following is true regarding the damage to his own car?

It will be reimbursed up to the difference between his liability coverage and the damage to other property.

It will be reimbursed fully, minus the $100 deductible.

It is not covered under his policy.

Coverage A of Zach's plan will reimburse him with for Kim's medical bills. Zach's medical bills are $0 Zach's car was relatively unharmed by the coll quired $800 in minor repairs; Kim's car was destroyed, making Zach liable for paying the $9,300 replacement value. Kim's ca $15,000 ed onto a nearby sidewalk on impact, destroying a nearby lawn and causing additional damage to a parked car. This damad $32,634 7,254. $30,000 Coverage A of Zach's plan will reimburse him with for Kim's medical bills. Zach's medical bills are covered under coverage not covered Zach's car was relatively unharmed by the collision but required $800 in minor repairs; Kim's car was destro paying the $9,300 replacement value. Kim's car was pushed onto a nearby sidewalk on impact, destroying a additional damage to a parked car. This damage totaled $7.254. covered under coverage C covered under coverage out-of- Zach's liability coverage also will reimburse him for up to $ in property damage, so he is responsible for paying pocket in property liability damages. Which of the following is true regarding the damage to his own car? $3,054 It will be reimbursed up to the difference between his liability coverage and the damage to other property. $0 It will be reimbursed fully, minus the $100 deductible. $1,554 It is not covered under his policy. $2,354 Coverage A of Zach's plan will reimburse him with for Kim's medical bills. Zach's medical bills are $0 Zach's car was relatively unharmed by the coll quired $800 in minor repairs; Kim's car was destroyed, making Zach liable for paying the $9,300 replacement value. Kim's ca $15,000 ed onto a nearby sidewalk on impact, destroying a nearby lawn and causing additional damage to a parked car. This damad $32,634 7,254. $30,000 Coverage A of Zach's plan will reimburse him with for Kim's medical bills. Zach's medical bills are covered under coverage not covered Zach's car was relatively unharmed by the collision but required $800 in minor repairs; Kim's car was destro paying the $9,300 replacement value. Kim's car was pushed onto a nearby sidewalk on impact, destroying a additional damage to a parked car. This damage totaled $7.254. covered under coverage C covered under coverage out-of- Zach's liability coverage also will reimburse him for up to $ in property damage, so he is responsible for paying pocket in property liability damages. Which of the following is true regarding the damage to his own car? $3,054 It will be reimbursed up to the difference between his liability coverage and the damage to other property. $0 It will be reimbursed fully, minus the $100 deductible. $1,554 It is not covered under his policy. $2,354