Legal Advice Columns
The following articles are reprints of Van O’Steen legal advice columns which appeared in The Arizona Republic and other newspapers across Arizona.
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A Glossary of Car Insurance Language
A simplified, plain-language description of the most common categories of auto insurance coverage and how they may benefit you.
A Glossary of Car Insurance Language
A simplified, plain-language description of the most common categories of auto insurance coverage and how they may benefit you.
Going Underinsured is a Game of Chance You Shouldn’t Play
You might think million dollar insurance settlements and jury verdicts are common. They are not.
Umbrella Insurance is Worth Considering to Fill Out Coverage
One of the best insurance values available continues to be an umbrella policy. Umbrella coverage is a special type of liability insurance. Liability insurance protects the policyholder from claims and lawsuits made against him or her by others. Car accidents, falls, dog bites, malpractice and many other careless acts are covered by some form of liability coverage.
Many Insurance Policies Cover Rental Car
It is an obvious understatement to say that most automobile insurance policies are difficult to understand. Most policyholders are not fully aware of the extent of their coverage or the limitations on it.
‘Reimbursement Policy’ Fails to Meet Requirements of the Law
I have a friend who is a professional photographer. I will call him Bill. Bill owns a full-size, four-wheel-drive utility vehicle that he uses to transport his equipment and reach the remote locations sometimes required by his job.
Car’s Fair Market Value Key to Car Crash Claim
If your car is damaged in an accident, your claim generally is determined by the cost of repairing it to its pre-accident condition. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may present this claim to your own insurance company or to a company that insures another vehicle involved in the accident with you.
Collision Waiver May Duplicate Coverage on Rental Car
Collision waivers are high-profit items for car-rental companies. A collision waiver is a provision in the rental contract waiving the company’s right to collect from you or your insurance company if the rental car is damaged while you are renting it.
Personal Injury Accident Compensation Is Debated
“Tort reform” continues to be a hot issue in the Arizona Legislature. One of the most interesting battles involves an attempt to eliminate the longstanding “collateral source rule.”
‘Loaner’ Car Provision Softens Impact of Car Accidents
Automobiles seem to be essential to our way of life. For that reason, obtaining a rental car often is a major concern to those involved in automobile accidents.
Drive Home a Point with Insurance Adjuster
Adjusting insurance claims can be a schizophrenic business; it is a bit like serving two masters.
On one hand, adjusters are charged with conserving their insurance company’s money. On the other, they must contribute to the goal of good customer (and prospective customer) relations. The latter generally requires a more liberal approach to claims settlement. Some insurance companies, through their adjusters, walk this tightrope better than others.
Fender Benders Merit Reporting
Drivers involved in minor automobile accidents sometimes prefer to pay for the damage themselves rather than report the accident to their insurance carrier. They fear a claim may result in an increase in insurance premiums, or worse, cancellation of their policy.
Pamphlet Points Out How We Run Head-on Into Auto Insurance Rates
A friend recently gave me a pamphlet titled “Why Does Auto Insurance Cost So Much?” He received it in the mail from his insurance company. The pamphlet contains a great deal of useful information that I want to share with you.
Inadequate Automobile Insurance Potential Problem for Injury Accidents
Arizona’s mandatory automobile insurance law requires all motorists to carry a liability insurance policy.
Protection from Uninsured Drivers for Personal Injury and Other Damage
Many people incorrectly believe that if they are injured in an automobile accident where another person is at fault, they will automatically receive a sum of money as compensation for their injuries.
Bad Faith Law Protects Policyholders
Insurance company advertising usually promises that claims will be handled quickly and fairly. After all, a part of what you we buy is prompt attention.
Homeowner’s and Renter’s Insurance Policies Should Be Reviewed Periodically
I recently spoke with a man who told me about a recurring nightmare, his mailman is badly injured when he slips on a toy left lying in the driveway. The injured mailman hires a lawyer who files suit and eventually wins a large judgment, financially wiping out the man.
Homeowner’s and Renter’s Insurance Policies Should Be Reviewed Periodically
I recently spoke with a man who told me about a recurring nightmare, his mailman is badly injured when he slips on a toy left lying in the driveway. The injured mailman hires a lawyer who files suit and eventually wins a large judgment, financially wiping out the man.
Cost of Automobile Insurance Should Play Major Role in Car Buying Decision
Most people are very price-conscious when deciding whether to buy an automobile. Cost probably is the leading determinant in narrowing the field of choice for most of us. If this were not true, we would see many more Cadillacs, Porsches and Ferraris on the road.
Most Drivers are Underinsured for Personal Injuries
Million-dollar insurance settlements and jury verdicts for injuries and death are more rare than million-dollar lottery jackpots.
If Costly Car Insurance Is driving You Mad, Try These Cut-Rate Trips
Automobile insurance rates vary widely depending on the insurance company you or your agent select, the types and amounts of coverage you buy, the kind of car you own and driving record you have.
Homeowner’s and Renter’s Policies Provide Broad Protection
All insurance policies contain exclusions and limitations. Insurance companies justifiably are unwilling to provide coverage under basic policies for extraordinary risks. The premiums we pay for these policies are not based on protection for unusual activities.
Car Pool Drivers Need Adequate Insurance to Cover Accident Injury Risk
Ride sharing makes very good sense. It is economically and environmentally sound when done regularly. Co-workers, for example, who ride to and from work together save money for themselves and make a contribution to cleaner air for us all.
Law Doesn’t Solve Medical Malpractice Insurance ‘Crisis’
During a so-called “medical malpractice insurance crisis” in the mid-1980’s, an Illinois judge declared unconstitutional many portions of a new state law designed to place limitations on medical malpractice claims.
Auto Insurance Claim Is no Shame
Some people refuse to report valid claims to their automobile insurance company for fear their policy will be canceled. This fear generally is unwarranted. The practice of canceling auto policies on the basis of claims made is no longer permitted in Arizona.
Law Ensures Homeowner’s and Renter’s Insurance Coverage
A little-known Arizona law limits the ability of insurance companies to cancel or refuse to renew a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. The law is intended to protect policyholders from arbitrary cancellations.
No-Fault States’ Insurance-Arizona’s system of legal
responsibility for those involved in automobile accidents is called the tort system. The word “tort” comes from Latin and means a wrong or injury for which money damages may be awarded by a court. An automobile tort system preserves the right of injured accident victims to sue those who caused the accident.
Shared Fault Law Can Be Unfair
A young woman named Ann operates a small business in Arizona. She owns several delivery vehicles, which are used in the business.
Recently Ann told me about an incident that followed an accident involving one of her delivery cars. After the accident, the driver of the other car readily admitted being at fault and gave Ann his insurance information. Ann contacted the man’s insurance company, and a representative inspected the damage to her car.
‘Full Coverage’ Auto Insurance Does Not Exist
Has your insurance agent ever told you that you have “full coverage” under your automobile insurances policy? If so, you should know the term is misleading—there is no such thing as “full coverage.”
Car Insurance Claim Rights Vary
Insurance companies, like all other businesses, want to minimize their expenses. Claim payments are large expense items for all insurance companies, especially personal injury claims. Naturally, they want to carefully control claims.
Taking Precautions Can Deter Auto Theft, Cut Insurance Costs
Within the past few months, four cars owned by friends of mine have been stolen. All were recovered substantially damaged. Two were totaled. One was riddled with bullet holes.
Auto Insurance Protection Shouldn’t Target Only Strangers
Christopher Hoy was four when he was injured seriously in an automobile accident. His back, leg and nose were broken when the car driven by his mother collided with a car driven by another person.
Umbrella Insurance Policies Enhance Coverage for Injuries and Property Damage
The instinct for self-protection is strong. For the first 50,000 years or so on Earth, humans were concerned entirely with physical self-preservation. More recently, however, we have become increasingly concerned about our financial protection.
Protection from Uninsured Drivers for Personal Injury and Other Damage
Many people incorrectly believe that if they are injured in an automobile accident where another person is at fault, they will automatically receive a sum of money as compensation for their injuries.
Legal Insurance Raises Questions
Recently, I have noticed a sharp increase in the popularity of legal insurance. These policies cover the cost of some legal services. Those who sell legal insurance coverage hope to achieve some of the success enjoyed by companies that provide medical insurance.
Good Idea for Renters to Own Personal Injury Liability and Property Insurance
Increasingly greater numbers of people are living in rented dwellings—apartments, condominiums and homes. Although renters are not required by law to have renter’s insurance, it is a very good idea to do so.
Alertness to Insurance Fraud Is Sound Policy
The Maricopa County grand jury indicted 25 people on various felony counts arising from an alleged scheme to stage automobile accidents and fraudulently claim insurance money.
Although it is impossible to measure accurately the cost to consumers of fraudulent insurance claims, it is clear that these costs are reflected in higher insurance rates for everyone.
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