If you have been involved in a car crash out of state, you should be protected by the coverage provided to you by your own auto insurance policy. If you have suffered damages that are not covered by your personal insurance plan, you might be able to file a personal injury claim.
Laws vary from state to state, so things might work differently than you expect.
Insurance and Crashes Out of State
Your car insurance works when you travel from one state to another. If you cause an accident in any state where you travel you are financially responsible for any injuries or damages that others suffer.
The liability coverage on your car insurance should cover any damages suffered by someone else because of your negligence.
Each state has its own set minimum requirements for auto insurance, but you should know that your policy's limits might amend to the state to which you are traveling.
Meeting Insurance Minimums—And What to Do if You Need More
In many instances, your auto insurance coverage will increase if necessary to meet the minimum insurance limit requirements of the state that you are traveling in if that state has higher insurance limits.
As an example, if your state has a minimum $25,000 liability bodily injury coverage and you have only the minimum coverage, but you travel to a state that requires $40,000 of bodily injury coverage then your policy will usually adjust to the higher amount at no additional expense to you.
However, you should check with your insurance agent if you need additional information before you travel out of state.
Your insurance company representative can help you with any concerns you have regarding out-of-state travels and the risks of accidents.
If You Were Injured in an Out of State Car Accident
Just as you would with any car accident if you are in an out of state crash make sure the police complete an accident report. The laws of the state where the car accident occurred will be the applicable laws when settling with an insurance company or when damages are paid.
While crashes close to home are usually right to the point, an out of state car accident might not be that simple.
Each case is different, and the limitations and conditions established by laws in the state where the crash occurred will impact any accident claim that you might want to file for damages.
If you have suffered damages in an out of state car accident that are not fully covered by your personal auto insurance policy, you might be able to pursue a personal injury claim to recoup those additional losses.
Because of how the laws vary between states, you should consult with a personal injury attorney to determine how to proceed.
Cases can vary significantly, so an experienced auto accident injury attorney can help you sort things out following a crash. Because the statute of limitations can vary significantly, don't wait too late to pursue a claim or you may not be able to recover any compensation.
