GoFundMe Is Not an Insurance Plan for the Future

By Jason Bottlinger on October 24, 2017

With the rise of crowdsourcing websites, GoFundMe has made a name for itself by helping people in need raise money for medical bills and similar expenses.

While that is certainly a noble cause, it is important to remember that this type of site is not a replacement for insurance…or being careful.

In Nebraska, you still need insurance to make sure your future needs can be met, and there are going to be times when you cannot – or should not – fall back on strangers for help.

What Is GoFundMe?

GoFundMe is an online crowdsourcing platform that has a particular focus on helping people in need. A person can sign up, share his or her story, and ask others to donate money towards a common cause. For example, the site can be used to raise money for medical expenses, to help rebuild after a devastating fire, and for other emergencies. Many people have received donations through the site to pay bills they could not otherwise handle, but it is important to remember that there is no guarantee of success on GoFundMe.

In fact, more reports of GoFundMe scams are making the headlines, and this is likely to make people more “iffy” about donating at all.

You Still Need Insurance

While sites like GoFundMe can help offset some expenses, you still need insurance to have a more reliable fallback. Health insurance can help with medical bills, and homeowners insurance can assist with rebuilding and replacing what you have lost after a major disaster.

Of course, even insurance does not cover all life’s expenses, but it is better to have it than not. After all, you can have insurance and still use a site like GoFundMe for extra help, if you feel that’s the right choice for your situation.

Other Compensation

When insurance and crowdsourcing fail you, then you may have to look at other means of compensation after a serious accident or other event. For example, if you are injured at work, then workers’ compensation can help pay for your medical bills. If you are struck by another driver while in your car, and insurance only pays for a small part of your expenses, that is when a civil lawsuit can help.

If you have been in any kind of accident or suffered serious injury, you may be able to hold someone liable if he or she caused the accident. Call the legal team at Bottlinger Law L.L.C. at (402) 505-8234 and tell us about what happened. Your consultation is free.