Accident Terms and Definitions

Policy
Written contract of insurance.

Misdemeanor
Criminal offenses less than felonies; generally those punishable by fine or imprisonment of less than 90 days in a local facility. A gross misdemeanor is a criminal offense for which an adult could be sent to jail for up to one year, pay a fine up to $5,000 or both.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC)
Provides coverage for a policyholder involved in a collision with a driver who does not have liability insurance.

Full Tort
With this selection you retain unrestricted rights to bring suit against the negligent party.

Subpoena
Document issued by the authority of the court to compel a witness to appear and give testimony or produce documentary evidence in a proceeding. Failure to appear or produce is punishable by contempt of court.

Junk Title
A Junk Title is issued on a vehicle damaged to the extent that the cost of repairing the vehicle for safe operation exceeds its fair market value; or a vehicle that has been declared a total loss by an insurer or other state or jurisdiction.

Liability Insurance
Coverage for a policyholder's legal liability resulting from injuries to other persons or damage to their property.

Limits
The maximum amount of benefits the insurance company agrees to pay in the event of a loss.

Limited Tort
Offers savings on your premiums. You are still able to recover all out-of-pocket medical and other expenses, however you are not able to recover non-monetary damages or receive payments for pain and suffering unless injuries are defined as serious.

Flood Damage Title
States issue flood titles when a vehicle has been in a flood or has received extensive water damage.