New Bill Aims to Keep Insurance Companies from Raising Your Rates Based on Age, Income and More

Silverman, McDonald & Friedman provides comprehensive representation on behalf of injury victims throughout Delaware. If you were in a crash involving an uninsured or underinsured driver, please contact us for a free consultation with a skilled car accident lawyer in Wilmington, Newark or Seaford.

If there’s one thing that all Delaware driver can agree on, it’s that we pay too much money for our car insurance. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners said in 2014, the most recent year available, we paid an average of $1,125.74 each year, making us the 7^th highest rate in the U.S. for car insurance. It seems, though, that our legislators have heard our concerns, and decided to do something about it. Delaware State News reports that Rep. Trey Paradee, D-Cheswold, has introduced a bill that would stop insurance companies from raising rates based on information such as age, income, credit rating or marital status.

If it passes, the benefits could actually be two-fold: first, drivers could see a reduction (or, at least, a steady hold) on their rates. Second, we could see fewer uninsured or underinsured drivers on Delaware roadways. As of 2014, about 10% of all drivers in Delaware were uninsured. If a driver without insurance (or without enough insurance) gets into a car accident with another driver, the results are bad for everyone.

What happens after a car accident with an uninsured driver?

When you are in an accident with a driver who is uninsured or underinsured, you could face a serious problem: after all, someone has to pay for the damage to your vehicle. If you have uninsured motorist (UIM) insurance and/or Personal Injury Insurance (PIP), these policies will cover the costs of your property damage and medical expenses.

Either way, the first thing you should do is call the police and make an official report. It is illegal to drive in Delaware without car insurance, and you may need this report later if you end up filing a lawsuit. If you or passengers sustain injuries, you should call and ambulance (if necessary) or seek medical attention right away.

If the driver cannot be found (uninsured drivers, statistically speaking, tend to leave the scene), you will have to file a claim with your own insurance company. You will need as much evidence as possible – the police report, your medical records, photographs of your car and of any injuries you sustained, etc. – when you file, to make the strongest case for your claim. Keep in mind, though, that your insurance company will not want to pay you anymore than another driver’s would, and the chances are high that the first offer will be low.

Do you need a lawyer after an auto accident with an uninsured driver?

If you submit all of your paperwork to your own insurance company, and they return a low or insufficient settlement amount, do not accept it. Your chances are significantly better for a more just offer if you work with a skilled car accident lawyer instead. Our attorneys are familiar with the laws and the “tricks” insurance companies use to avoid paying you a fair amount of compensation for your injuries, property damage, and lost wages.

At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we advocate on behalf of injured drivers throughout the state. If you were hurt in a hit-and-run, or by an uninsured/underinsured driver, we want to help. To schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys in Wilmington, Seaford or Newark, please call 302-888-2900, or fill out our contact form.