You have auto insurance to help cover your medical bills and repair costs in the case of a car accident in Phoenix. At the same time, you rely on your employer’s workers’ compensation coverage to help you pay for expenses associated with a work-related injury. What if the two worlds collide? If you happen to be involved in a car accident while performing a work-related function, which entity would be expected to offer you financial assistance: auto insurance or workers’ compensation?
In most cases, workers’ compensation would supersede your auto insurance coverage. This is due to the fact that you were only in the position of being involved in an accident due to the responsibilities of your employment. Indeed, information shared by the Insurance Journal shows that auto accident claims to workers’ compensation providers have increased in recent years. While all others claims actually decreased by over 17 percent from 2011-2016, the number of car accident claims grew by five percent during the same time period.
One reason cited as to the reason why work-related car accident claims have increased is due to the proliferation of cell phone usage. Your employer’s workers’ compensation representative might try to tell you that using your cell phone while driving may give them reason to deny coverage. Yet you may counter that claim by pointing out the workers’ compensation coverage is typically made available regardless of fault.
An important point to remember when determining whether to file a claim with your auto insurance or workers’ compensation provider is that workers’ comp usually only covers expenses related to your injuries. You likely will still need to file an auto insurance claim in order to repair damages to your vehicle.
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