How to Protect Yourself Against Uninsured Drivers

If you’re hurt in a motor vehicle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you’re entitled to claim against them to recover compensation. You rightfully expect that your damages and financial to will be fully covered by the negligent driver’s auto insurance. You are then shocked to discover that the driver didn’t have auto insurance, or didn’t have enough insurance to cover your claim.

That scenario is unfortunately common. You can—and should—protect yourself by having insurance coverage in place to protect you, your spouse, and your dependents against underinsured, uninsured, and unidentified drivers. In today’s post, our Sault St. Marie accident claims lawyers will explain OPCF-44R Family Protection Coverage, including what it is, how to get it, and how it works.

Understanding Third-Party Liability Coverage

Third-party liability coverage protects the insured person if they cause an automobile accident that injures or kills another person. It pays for claims resulting from lawsuits against that person, up to the coverage limit they have in place.

In Ontario, all auto insurance policies are required to have a minimum of $200,000 third-party liability coverage. If you are seriously injured, there is a very good chance that your damages and losses will be more than the mandatory minimum of $200,000.

Some people opt to purchase a greater amount of third-party liability coverage (e.g., up to $1,000,000 or $2,000,000). The scary thing is that you won’t know if the driver who hits you has more than the minimum level of coverage (or any coverage for that matter) until after the accident has occurred.

Protect Yourself With OPCF-44R Coverage

The sad reality is that some people drive with no auto insurance, and many drivers choose to carry only the bare minimum of $200,000 third-party liability coverage. You won’t know what insurance a negligent driver has in place until it’s too late, but you can protect yourself from by having OPCF-44R Family Protection Coverage. This extra level of coverage exists solely for your benefit and the benefit of your spouse and dependent relatives, should any of you suffer injury caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.

It's also unfortunately common for at-fault drivers to flee the scene of an accident. We’ve handled numerous cases where the at-fault driver took off and notwithstanding extensive investigations, could never be found. Having OPCF-44R Family Protection Coverage can also protect you if you’re hurt in a hit and run accident caused by an unidentified motorist.

OPCF-44R Family Protection Coverage is an optional endorsement that can be included in your own auto insurance policy. You can purchase the OPCF-44R endorsement when you first purchase your auto insurance policy, or during the life of your existing policy by contacting your insurance provider and requesting that it be added. The premium you’ll pay for OPCF-44R coverage will depend on factors such as your driving record and previous claims, but generally speaking, the cost is fairly minimal and less expensive than other types of endorsements such as increasing Accident Benefits coverage.

How OPCF-44R Family Protection Coverage Works

OPCF-44R coverage will match your third-party liability coverage. So, for example, if you purchased $2,000,000 third-party liability coverage under your own policy, you will be protected for up to $2,000,000 if you add the OPCF-44R endorsement to your policy. The coverage you buy doesn’t stack on top of the at-fault driver’s coverage; instead, it tops up your coverage to your own third-party liability limit.

Let’s look at an example. Imagine you are injured by an at-fault driver who had only the minimum $200,000 in third-party liability coverage. You sustain serious injuries, can’t work, and are faced with substantial medical and treatment expenses. Your claim exceeds the at-fault driver’s $200,000, but you have $1,000,000 in OPCF-44R coverage in place. In that scenario, the at-fault driver’s insurer pays $200,000 and you have access to an additional $800,000 in coverage from your own auto insurer (the difference between your policy limit and the at-fault driver’s policy limit).

This additional coverage goes a long way if you suffered severe injuries or are permanently disabled as a result of the crash. And remember, OPCF-44R coverage extends to your spouse and certain dependent relatives such as your children or other relatives who live in your household, so it can protect not just you but your loved ones from the risks posed by inadequately insured drivers.

GET ADVICE FROM A SAULT STE. MARIE ACCIDENT CLAIMS LAWYER

Sault Ste. Marie accident claims lawyers at Feifel Gualazzi are here to assist if you or a loved one has been injured in a car, ATV, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, or snowmobile accident. We are one of the largest personal injury law firms in Northern Ontario and focus solely on personal injury, including auto accidents, no-fault accident benefits, and complex insurance coverage disputes. 

We welcome you to reach out to a Sault Ste. Marie accident claims lawyer at Feifel Gualazzi. We’ll help you determine how much you are entitled to claim as compensation for your injuries and losses, guide you through the no fault accident benefits claims process, deal with insurance companies on your behalf, and take your case to trial if full and fair out-of-court settlement isn’t possible.

Our Sault Ste. Marie law firm serves Blind River, Elliot Lake, and surrounding communities in Algoma District. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation!