Necessary Motorist Coverage:
Watermelon Jicama Salad With Jalapeño and Lime
UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED
What happens when you’re in a car accident with someone who doesn’t have car insurance or runs from the scene of the accident? Normally, this type of accident could cost you a lot of money, but you can save yourself from the financial hit with uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage in your insurance plan. But what exactly does this coverage do? UM/UIM coverage helps protect you in the event that you are hit by a driver whose insurance coverage is insufficient to cover all of your injuries or property damage, or if the individual who caused the wreck does not have insurance at all. This coverage is extremely beneficial since it helps cover medical bills, lost wages, and any other costs associated with pain and suffering. Unfortunately, many Tennesseeans decline this coverage when it is offered to them by their insurance companies, which is a big mistake. As a general rule, you should never opt out of or decline UM/UIM coverage. In most cases, the additional cost to add UM/UIM coverage to your policy is negligible. Your insurance company is required to offer it to you, but some insurance agents (although not good insurance agents) may trivialize the importance of the coverage in order to bring your cost down on your annual premiums. Saving a few dollars now could cost you thousands down the road and in the worst of cases, financial ruin, in the event you are injured by an at-fault, uninsured motorist and don’t have UM/UIM coverage to cover any of your medical bills. In that situation, simply put, you’re out of luck and will be solely and individually responsible for all your medical bills. Tennessee law mandates that individuals maintain liability automobile insurance coverage in the amount of $25,000.00 per person with $50,000.00 aggregate coverage. As a practical matter, this coverage is “barebones” coverage and the total amount that this “barebones” policy covers would be up to $25,000.00 per person for bodily injuries sustained in a wreck, but if there are multiple individuals injured in the wreck, the insurance coverage would be capped at paying out $50,000.00 for all injured parties. You need to keep this information in mind when establishing or renewing your automobile insurance, not only for your benefit, but also for the benefit of other passengers who travel with you. Hospital stays are expensive and sometimes the barebones liability coverage is not enough to cover your hospital stay after an accident, and you are responsible for any remaining cost. In situations where an underinsured motorist with minimum liability coverage causes a wreck, your UM/UIM insurance could kick in and would help take care of costs in excess of $25,000.00. At Douglass & Runger, we see this scenario often with our car wreck clients, and it never gets easier. Unfortunately, these situations can put an innocent individual on the fast track to bankruptcy. We are pleased to answer any questions you may have if you or someone you know has been injured in an accident that was not their fault. And as always, if you have further legal needs, please visit DouglassRunger.com.
Inspired by BonAppetit.com
This late-summer salad hits every flavor note and is a great way to get acquainted with jicama, a root vegetable native to Mexico that you’ve probably passed numerous times in the produce section! It’s easy to prepare (just peel and eat) and has the crispness of an apple and the satisfying starch of potato.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 3-lb seedless watermelon • 1 small jicama • 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced • 1 scallion, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup cilantro, coarsely chopped
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice • Kosher salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Prepare the watermelon by removing the rind and cutting the melon into 2 1/2-by-1/2-inch sticks. 2. Peel the jicama with a vegetable peeler, then cut it into sticks the same size as the watermelon. 3. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon and jicama with jalapeño, scallion, cilantro, and lime. Sprinkle with kosher salt, toss gently to combine, taste, and adjust seasoning. INSPIRATION “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” –Lao-Tze
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