Good thread…
I was injured in a moderately serious crash last year, driver unquestionably at fault, and my lawyer told me the same thing. I had no idea my own auto policy could have kicked in. I was fortunate that the driver had 100k limit and we settled it for 70k. A different impact angle, different injuries and it could have been woefully inadequate. I’ve also made that uninsured injury update to my own auto policy going forward now.
I also learned in NY that with no evidence of fractures, you don’t have a claim beyond no fault medical, which they try to kick you off 3 weeks into PT. Arm sliced open and stitches ? Unless it leads to “scorn and ridicule,” (no joke, that is the legal standard) driver has no accountability beyond medical bill. Was absolutely critical to get CT and MRIs to demonstrate rib and compression fractures that ER x-rays missed or didn’t even look for and fortunately my primary care doctor pushed me to be sure of what we were dealing with.
And of course they will try to rip you off on the bike… 20% deduction for everything damaged because it was “used.” I’d like to see how that would work if I hit someone’s car and said “well, your paint is a couple years old now, so you are responsible for 20% of the body shop bill.”