Be aware of change in auto insurance benefits in 2016

As an attorney who represents victims of motor vehicle accidents, my focus is to get fair compensation for my clients. It can be a long and difficult process in seeking justice for injured Oregonians who have faithfully paid insurance premiums year after year.

Under current law, under-insured motorist coverage is paid on policies to kick in when the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability limit is not enough money to fully compensate the victim for their medical expenses. What most Oregon consumers don’t realize is that their own UIM benefits are only available if it is more than the at-fault driver’s liability limit. You cannot access both.

Starting in January, a new law finally allows auto insurance consumers to collect on all the coverage they have been paying for, allowing their UIM policy limit to be added to the at-fault driver’s policy limit in serious injury cases.

The law goes into effect on Jan. 2, 2016, for auto insurance policies issued or renewed on or after that date. If your policy doesn’t renew until April and you get in an accident in February, you will not have this additional coverage. You must call your agent to make the change.