---
title: False Confidence: Hidden Policy Exclusions Can Leave You Out In The Cold
slug: false-confidence-hidden-policy-exclusions-can-leave-you-out-in-the-cold
date: 2024-01-05
---

When it comes to car insurance, most people are concerned with two things: coverage and cost. A bird's-eye summary of both can be found on the declarations page, typically within the first few pages of the policy documents. It is what follows that can be dangerous - fifty or so pages of detailed conditions that must be met to actually collect the benefits you expect. Below is one example. 

I was recently contacted about a situation where a man was rear-ended by someone who then fled the scene. The victim carried uninsured motorist coverage (UM) on his policy, intended to protect him in that exact scenario. However, unknown to him was a brief provision requiring that the incident be reported to police within 24 hours, and to the insurer within 30 days. Failure to comply with either requirement would void the coverage. 

This led to the insurer sending a letter stating: "It is questionable whether there has been compliance with the provision of the policy concerning reporting of a hit-and-run accident..." 

Fortunately, we resolved the issue for our client. Others are not so lucky, most often because they don't know what questions to ask. At Heaton & Associates, we know both the questions and the answers, empowering you as a consumer, and ensuring that the law works for you rather than against you. Call Today.