Massachusetts Insurance Legal Questions

I am sorry to hear about your accident.  However, the insurance is only responsible if you paid for an insurance policy which would cover this incident.   It sounds like you have liability coverage only.  That means that you are only covered under your insurance company's policy if YOU are liable for an accident.  Thus, if you would have caused an accidie, then you would have coverage to protect the other driver.  Since you do not have collision coverage, it sounds like you are not covered.  If you have uninsured or underinsured coverage, then you should be covered.  Uninsured coverage applies in these exact situations - when you are involved in a car accident with a hit & run driver, a driver with no insurance or a driver with insurance less than yours.  In those instances, your uninsured coverage kicks in to protect you.   But what it sounds like to me is that you only have liability coverage - which is to protect the other person in the event you are liable for an accident, and not uninsured motorist coverage.  But to be safe, I'd ask your insurance company if you have any uninsured coverage.  And in the future, I would consider getting it if you do not. In my opinion, uninsured motorist coverage is the most important type of car insurance because it exists to protect you.  Best of luck. NOTE:  This response is general in nature and should not be considered legal advice.  No attorney-client relationship exists or is formed by this response.... Read More

I am sorry to hear about your father-in-law.   You will need to consult with a civil plaintiff's attorney (not a defense attorney).  Start calling around and keep records of all the communications with the insurance company.  Try not to communicate with the insurance company orally but do so instead in writing or by email.  You will need to get a copy of the insurance policy.  You should be able to request one easily (or whoever the beneficiaries are should be able to request one easily).   There are pretty strict time limitations on appealing insurance judgments, so I would act quickly.  Gather all communications and request the policy, etc. and get with an attorney as soon as possible.  And, I think you are making the right move in not cashing the check at this time.  Hold onto it and consult a local civil plaintiff's attorney in your area soon.  Look for an attorney who advertises that they handle insurance bad faith claims.  If none really in your area handle that, start calling attorneys who advertises that they handle medical malpractice or wrongful death and hopefully they will be able to refer you to someone who does hand insurance bad faith claims.  Best of luck. NOTE:  This response is general in nature and should not be considered legal advice.  No attorney-client relationship exists or is formed by this response.... Read More