An insurance option that may be essential, particularly if you’re injured in a car accident involving your spouse, is Supplemental Spousal Liability (SSL) coverage. While this type of insurance is not always well-known or widely discussed, it can make a significant difference for families impacted by car accident injuries.
After a motor vehicle accident, navigating the complexities of insurance coverage feels overwhelming—especially when you’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, and emotional distress. At William Mattar Law Offices, our experienced New York car accident lawyers understand how stressful this time can be and are here to help you find answers and pursue the compensation you need to recover.
Understanding how SSL coverage works can help you make informed decisions and protect yourself and your loved ones.
Table of contents
- What Is Supplemental Spousal Liability (SSL) Coverage?
- New York’s New SSL Coverage Law: Automatic Inclusion Unless Waived
- How SSL Coverage Protects You After a Car Accident
- When Should You Consider Keeping SSL Coverage?
- Why SSL Coverage is Especially Important for Multi-Car Households
- The Importance of SSL Coverage in Modern Situations
- How William Mattar Law Offices Helps with SSL Coverage and Car Accident Claims
- How a Lawyer Can Help with Insurance Company Negotiations
- Common Questions About SSL Coverage in New York
- Why Trust William Mattar Law Offices for Your Car Accident Claim?
- Connect With William Mattar Law Offices Today
What Is Supplemental Spousal Liability (SSL) Coverage?
In New York, all registered vehicles must carry bodily injury liability insurance, which covers damages if the insured driver is at fault for injuring someone else. However, an important exception exists under New York law: a spouse typically cannot make a claim against their spouse’s bodily injury liability coverage if they’re injured in an accident caused by the spouse.
This is where SSL coverage becomes invaluable. SSL coverage provides a critical layer of protection in cases where one spouse may need to seek compensation from the other’s insurance due to injuries sustained in a shared accident. SSL coverage essentially bypasses the spousal exclusion rule, allowing the injured spouse to receive compensation under the at-fault spouse’s policy.
It is a lifeline when severe injuries occur and compensation is needed for medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing care.
New York’s New SSL Coverage Law: Automatic Inclusion Unless Waived
In response to the limited awareness of SSL coverage, New York lawmakers recently amended the law to make this coverage more accessible. Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that took effect on August 1, 2023, automatically including SSL coverage in auto insurance policies. Now, insurers are required to provide SSL coverage at the same level as bodily injury liability coverage unless the insured specifically rejects it in writing.
This change aims to ensure that families across New York have an added layer of protection in case of an accident involving a spouse. By making SSL coverage the default option, New York’s updated law makes it easier for families to access crucial financial support if an accident occurs.
How SSL Coverage Protects You After a Car Accident
- Covers Medical Costs and Lost Wages: SSL coverage can help cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages if you’re injured in an accident caused by your spouse.
- Provides Financial Relief for Severe Injuries: For severe injuries or life-altering accidents, SSL coverage can help ensure you have the resources needed for long-term care and quality of life.
- Helps Families Avoid Financial Strain: Medical bills, therapy, and lost income can strain a family’s finances quickly. SSL coverage can lessen this burden, allowing both spouses to focus on recovery.
When Should You Consider Keeping SSL Coverage?
SSL coverage might be worth considering if you frequently travel with your spouse or share a vehicle. Accidents are unpredictable, and the consequences of being underinsured can be devastating.
If you are considering declining this coverage, carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits. Consulting an attorney familiar with handling car accident insurance claims can help clarify whether keeping SSL coverage is a good option for your family.
Why SSL Coverage is Especially Important for Multi-Car Households
In New York, as in many states, owning multiple vehicles within a single household is common. Whether it’s for the convenience of different work schedules, the needs of a growing family, or simply personal preference, a multi-car household can bring unique considerations when it comes to insurance coverage. Among these considerations is the importance of Supplemental Spousal Liability coverage, which offers additional protection for families with multiple vehicles.
Increased Risk of Accidents Involving a Spouse
With more than one vehicle in the household, there is a naturally higher likelihood that both spouses will be on the road at the same time. This can mean more driving hours in different conditions and an increased chance of an accident involving a family member, such as a spouse driving one of the family’s vehicles.
Imagine a scenario in which a couple is driving separate vehicles to meet at a shared destination. A minor miscommunication or even a moment of distraction could lead to an accident involving both spouses. In such cases, SSL coverage can provide essential compensation for the injured spouse, helping with medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages, which would not otherwise be available under standard liability policies in New York.
In New York, SSL coverage is tied to each vehicle’s insurance policy, providing a level of protection across all household vehicles that include SSL. This means that regardless of which spouse was driving or which vehicle was involved, the injured spouse can seek compensation for injuries sustained in an accident.
Multi-Car Households: Protecting Family Finances with SSL Coverage
When a spouse is injured in an accident caused by the other, it can create an unexpected financial strain on the family—particularly if there are costly medical expenses or a temporary loss of income. SSL coverage helps to ensure that the family can recover without needing to dip into savings or other resources.
For multi-car households, where the likelihood of an accident between family members is naturally higher, SSL is an important layer of financial security that can protect your family’s future.
In a state like New York, where SSL coverage is now automatically included unless declined, it’s worth reviewing your policy and ensuring you keep this valuable coverage if you and your spouse own multiple vehicles. The peace of mind it provides can make all the difference in a difficult time.
The Importance of SSL Coverage in Modern Situations
With the growth of rideshare services and the flexibility offered by rental cars, families are now using vehicles in ways that were less common just a decade ago. These new driving environments introduce unique risks, especially for spouses who may often be together in a vehicle or drive separate cars as part of their daily lives.
SSL coverage offers critical benefits in these scenarios by providing an additional financial safety net, ensuring that couples don’t face unexpected financial hardship in the wake of an accident. Even if an accident occurs under less-than-standard circumstances—such as working for a rideshare service or using a rental car—SSL can still provide compensation, protecting family finances and supporting recovery.
How William Mattar Law Offices Helps with SSL Coverage and Car Accident Claims
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, understanding your insurance coverage options, including SSL, is daunting. At William Mattar Law Offices, we have years of experience handling complex auto accident claims in New York.
Our team is dedicated to helping injured motorists identify all available avenues for compensation and ensuring insurance companies fulfill their obligations to policyholders. After an accident, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure about your next steps. An experienced attorney can:
- Review your insurance policy to ensure you understand your coverage.
- Identify any additional coverage options, like SSL, that may apply to your case.
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf so you don’t have to manage it alone.
- Help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you need to recover.
How a Lawyer Can Help with Insurance Company Negotiations
Insurance companies often try to limit payouts, using complex policies and fine print to their advantage. In these situations, having a lawyer by your side can make a world of difference. A skilled personal injury lawyer understands the intricacies of insurance law and can handle communications with the insurer, ensuring your rights are protected and helping you pursue the maximum compensation possible.
Evaluation and Investigation
One of the primary ways a lawyer helps is by thoroughly evaluating your insurance policy to identify all potential sources of compensation, including any supplemental coverages like Supplemental Spousal Liability coverage. Your lawyer will review the specifics of your policy and analyze how each clause applies to your accident, leaving no stone unturned.
They’ll also gather evidence to support your claim—medical records, police reports, and accident scene photos—strengthening your position in negotiations with the insurer.
Negotiation and Litigation
Negotiating with insurance adjusters is a complex process that requires in-depth knowledge of insurance practices. Adjusters often have extensive training to minimize claims, but a lawyer experienced in accident cases knows these tactics and will counter them effectively.
If the insurance company offers a low settlement, your lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, leveraging their understanding of both insurance policies and the legal system to pursue a fair outcome. Should the insurer refuse to offer a reasonable settlement, your lawyer can prepare to take your case to court, showing the insurer that you’re serious about seeking full compensation.
With a lawyer advocating for you, you can focus on recovery while they handle the complexities of dealing with the insurance company. This support is especially valuable in cases where multiple policies, supplemental coverages, or unique circumstances—like rideshare or rental car use—may come into play.
By having a lawyer manage these negotiations, you gain peace of mind knowing that a professional is working to secure the best possible outcome for your case. At William Mattar Law Offices, we have years of experience in New York auto accident law. We’re here to make sure you aren’t left bearing the financial burden alone.
Common Questions About SSL Coverage in New York
Can I remove SSL coverage from my policy?
Yes. While SSL coverage is now automatically included, you have the option to decline it in writing. However, doing so may limit your options for compensation in the event of an accident involving your spouse.
Will SSL coverage raise my premiums significantly?
While adding SSL coverage may increase your premium, it’s generally affordable compared to the potential financial relief it offers in case of an accident.
What if my spouse caused the accident but we don’t have SSL coverage?
Without SSL coverage, you may not be able to claim compensation from your spouse’s insurance policy under New York law. Discuss your options with a knowledgeable attorney.
Why Trust William Mattar Law Offices for Your Car Accident Claim?
William Mattar Law Offices has a reputation for dedicated service to those injured in crashes. When you choose William Mattar, you’re choosing a firm with a concentrated focus on motor vehicle accidents. We understand New York’s unique insurance laws and fight tirelessly to help clients pursue compensation.
Connect With William Mattar Law Offices Today
Understanding insurance can be complex, but you don’t have to navigate this alone. At William Mattar Law Offices, we’re here to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions.
We encourage you to reach out for a free consultation if you've been injured in a car accident. Let us help you navigate your claim, understand your insurance options, and get the compensation you need to recover.
Call our main office in Williamsville, NY, at 716-444-4444 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. We answer our phones 24/7 and are here when you need us most. We also have offices in Buffalo, Syracuse, and Rochester, and our personal injury lawyers can serve clients throughout New York, including Albany, Long Island, Binghamton, Watertown, Plattsburgh, and New York City.