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First Party and Third Party Insurance Claims

Two Types of Insurance Claims - First Party and Third Party

The type of claim you file depends on the circumstances of the accident, including who was at fault, the type of collision that occurred, and the specifics of the insurance policy.

A first party claim is filed with your own insurance company if you are determined to be at fault for the collision, or if the at-fault driver carries little or no insurance to cover the cost of your injuries.

Examples of first party insurance claims include:

  • Medical Payments covers medical expenses of the “insured” related to a crash;
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist covers medical expenses and pain and suffering damages suffered by the holder of the policy when they are injured by a person driving without insurance or with limited insurance coverage;
  • Property Damage covers for repair or replacement of a vehicle;
  • Peripheral Coverages include towing expenses, loss or damage of personal property inside the vehicle, and other such losses.

A third party claim is filed against the insurance company of the at-fault driver for personal injury and property damage. A third-party claimant may recover medical expenses, lost wages, and additional money for pain and suffering or inconvenience. This is also called a liability claim because someone else is liable (responsible) at least in part for the injured person’s damages.

Sometimes it is relatively easy to determine which type of claim to file, but often, a claim can be complicated by the events of the accident and the insurance policies involved. It is usually a good idea to consult with an experienced injury attorney to ensure that an injured person’s rights are upheld and a full settlement is obtained.

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Everett-Bellingham WA

Lost wages? PIP to the rescue

PIP stands for Personal Injury Protection and is automatically included with many auto insurance policies. Though individual policies vary, it may include $10,000 towards wage loss. But there are some important things to know about PIP and what it means to put it into action. Bill Coats Law in Bellingham, WA put together this article and video to help consumers understand auto insurance policies and what next steps to take in the unfortunate event of a car accident. 

Everett-Bellingham WA

Crashes involving a single motorcyclist don't always mean it's the driver's fault

There is a bias out there about motorcyclists, and some unfortunately do ignore speed limits or safety requirements, much like any driver. So if you are involved in a single motorcycle crash, does this automatically mean you are the only one at fault? There are certain considerations that may apply, and there could be more to your accident than is obvious. To learn more about what to do after you were involved in a single motorcycle crash, click here.