Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 12, 1991                   TAG: 9103120159
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE PROTECTS YOU DIRECTLY

A: Uninsured motorist coverage protects you directly, according to the State Corporation Commission.

It pays if you are injured by a hit-and-run driver or a driver who does not have auto insurance. In essence, it is coverage that takes the place of the insurance that the other driver would have had if he had purchased insurance. It protects other motorists by making sure that money is available to pay for losses caused by uninsured drivers.

Drivers are required by Virginia law to have either liability insurance or to pay an uninsured motorist fee to the state.

If you are planning on buying auto insurance, consult with your parents and insurance agents to decide how much coverage you need. The minimum amount of coverage required by law is $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people, and $20,000 for property damage.

The property damage coverage is subject to a $200 deductible when a loss is caused by a motorist who was not identified.

The SCC's Bureau of Insurance publishes a booklet, "Virginia Auto Insurance Consumer's Guide," that will answer questions you may have about insurance. To receive a free copy, contact the bureau by calling (800) 552-7945 or by writing to the State Corporation Commission Bureau of Insurance, Box 1157, Richmond, VA 23209.

\ GM seat-belt recall

\ General Motors Corp. of Detroit has recalled nearly a half-million mid-size cars because of a potential problem that could cause a shoulder safety belt to break in a serious crash.

The company was aware of one incident in which the belt broke, causing minor injuries to a driver, spokesman Dave Sloan said.

The company is mailing notices to about 459,000 owners of 1990-model Chevrolet Lumina, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Pontiac Grand Prix sedans and 1990- and 1991-model Buick Regal cars.

The company said front shoulder belts could gather at one end of a guide loop, making it more susceptible to breaking during a severe crash.

Brackets will be installed on both front shoulder belts to be sure the belt moves evenly over the guide. The work will be performed at no cost to the customer.