Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage vs. The Jackson Crash

​A 17-year old Jackson resident driving a 2009 Nissan Altima collided with a 2016 Mack Truck in the Jackson intersection on the afternoon of October 29, 2018. The truck rammed into Glory’s Discount Market, causing extensive damage to and around the business. The collision closed down the Jackson intersection, where the massive truck lies in wreckage and fuel spilled all over. 

The incident also caused significant damage to a 2012 Honda Civic parked outside the market. While fortunate that nobody died, four people ended up getting injured during the event. A 69-year old male customer needed airlift support to the hospital for treatment.
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Nobody expects an accident like this to happen, which is why it is handy to have auto insurance. However, most drivers often follow the state-required minimum auto insurance coverage. Let’s figure out how the minimum coverage holds up against an accident as massive as the Jackson crash.
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Assessing the Damages
When considering a significant incident such as the Jackson crash, it is vital to determine the damage ahead of contacting your insurance provider. The expenses needed to cover ranges from the damaged truck and building to the business suffering from loss of income and the four injured people.
Also, the Altima driver might need to take responsibility for the damages inflicted on the parked Honda Civic. Add in the fuel spill and the towing from the truck. There are also unforeseen circumstances that may require additional coverage.

Here is the list of the possible expenses on the Jackson Crash:

• Damaged Cars (Mack Truck, Honda Civic, and Nissan Altima)
• Damaged Building
• Glory’s Discount Market (Loss of income, interior, and exterior damage)
• Treatment (Truck driver, Altima driver, four injured people)
• Towing expenses
• Other unforeseen expenses

Approximate Costs of Damages
Once you have assessed the damages and filed your accident report, you can contact your insurance company right away. But it is essential to have an approximate amount for the total costs before claiming your auto insurance.

Here is an estimated list of potential damages with approximate figures on the Jackson crash:

• Damaged Truck = $80,000
• Fuel Spill from Truck = around $50,000
• Towing for Truck = below $1,000
• Destroyed Honda Civic + Towing = $21,000
• Destroyed Altima + Towing = $21,000
• Significant Damage to Exterior of Building = $200,000 estimate
• Damage within Building = $100,000 estimate
• Loss of Business Income = around $50,000/month
• Two mildly injured people = $50,000-100,000
• Two seriously injured people = $200,000-400,000
• Other possible expenses = $100,000

If we include a 10% margin of error, that brings the total amount of damages and costs the Altima driver has to cover to around $1,140,000 to $1,400,000.

Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage
The insurance law in New Jersey requires minimum insurance coverage for drivers. The insurance law maintains a no-fault system, where all parties involved will pay for their expenses regardless of who is the one at fault for the accident. The bare minimum requirements in New Jersey need to cover property damage and personal injury protection.

Here is the basic policy of minimum auto insurance requirements:

• Property Damage Liability = $5,000 Limit
• Personal Injury Protection = $15,000 Limit
• PIP for Permanent or Significant Injury = $250,000 Limit

The minimum auto insurance can surely cover a non-fatal road collision, but it is hard to imagine that it can cover all of the damages during the Jackson crash. You may be insured, but proper coverage is another requirement you need to consider when purchasing your auto insurance.
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It is hard to figure out if your minimum auto insurance coverage is enough because accidents happen at the most inopportune time. For advice on how to assess your auto insurance coverage, click HERE.