Any sort of car accident can be frustrating, but matters get much more complicated when you get in a crash with an uninsured/underinsured motorist — especially when their negligence or recklessness caused the accident. Fortunately, uninsured motorist coverage is a common policy for auto insurance that can be used when the at-fault driver’s insurance is inadequate or if you are involved in a hit and run accident.
Hopefully, after an accident with an underinsured motorist, coverage will apply to your situation so you can recover costs such as your medical expenses, lost wages, health insurance payments, car repairs, property damage, and more. This policy will even cover funeral expenses in the unfortunate event of wrongful death.
Working with a personal injury attorney is one of the smartest ways to deal with car insurance companies, even if you file an uninsured motorist claim against your policy. Even the most well known car insurance companies are focused on settling claims for as little as possible, regardless of how much coverage you need or expect.
1-800-Injured can help you connect with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you work with hit and run claims or other uninsured coverage claims. That way, you can stay focused on getting the care that you need without any added stress.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage are policy additions that provide liability insurance for a driver in the event that they are in an accident with an uninsured driver. They enable to seek compensation for the many different damages caused by the car accident.
Is Your State a Mandatory Uninsured Motorist Coverage State?
Depending on the state you live in, you may or may not be legally required to carry uninsured motorist coverage in addition to your standard car insurance. The reality is that uninsured motorist coverage is an important protection against financial liability for someone else’s dangerous and reckless decision to operate a vehicle without appropriate liability protection.
Suppose a driver does not have any car insurance, or they do not have adequate liability coverage to cover the many damages you are seeking after the accident. In that case, you will need to go to your car insurance company to seek the difference. This is why it is so important to purchase uninsured motorist coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, even in states where it is not legally required.
Bodily Injury Coverage
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is an essential part of your collision insurance because medical bills can quickly put someone into serious financial trouble, especially when they cannot seek compensation from the at-fault driver. Something as treatable as a broken bone or as seemingly minor as an ambulance ride can lead to overwhelming problems without enough insurance coverage. Those problems are easily mitigated with this addition to your auto liability insurance.
Due to astronomical medical costs in the United States, uninsured motorist coverage is one of the greatest ways to protect yourself from potential expenses and damages that may lead to bankruptcy, wage garnishment, and more. This low-cost addition to your base car insurance policy can save you from major issues caused by an uninsured motorist down the road.
Health Insurance Coverage
Suppose you suffer injuries in an accident with an uninsured motorist. In that case, coverage will need to extend to any possible recurring or future medical bills, especially if you or your loved one has suffered from a permanent or catastrophic injury that leads to costs beyond what falls under bodily injury coverage.
Issues like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and even emotional or psychological impacts can have residual effects on a victim for years, or even decades, after the crash. Knowing that you have the appropriate collision coverage in the event of an accident with an underinsured motorist or uninsured motorist can give you peace of mind.
Health Insurance Costs Can Ruin Your Financial Future
Don’t get stuck with medical bills that your auto insurance policy could have covered. You should make sure to get the appropriate liability coverage to protect yourself and your loved ones against an uninsured driver who can cause significant hardships in your life.
Underinsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage
Uninsured motorist property damage coverage is another important part of your auto insurance policy. It will apply to things like the repair or replacement cost of your vehicle as well as a variety of other damages that may directly relate to damaged or destroyed property.
If your vehicle is damaged and needs repair, you want to know that you can get uninsured motorist coverage to cover these costs, which is even more important if your vehicle is totaled.
Some Specifics Included in Property Damage Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Other personal items such as laptops, cell phones, or anything else that you were transporting in your vehicle at the time of an accident will also be covered if the at-fault driver is an underinsured motorist or uninsured motorist. This is the case if you are able to present the proper documentation and proof of this damage at the time of your claim.
Again, working with a car accident attorney to ensure that you get the most collision coverage during an underinsured motorist claim is a great way to handle your claim with confidence.
Wrongful Death Coverage
In the event of a fatal car accident with an uninsured driver, the surviving family members of the victim will be able to seek compensation from their liability coverage for a range of damages such as funeral and burial costs, end of life care for the victim, and more.
Wrongful death cases can be highly overwhelming for family members and loved ones who are trying to recover compensation after losing a loved one in a crash with an uninsured/underinsured motorist. If they try to work with the insurance company without the support of a personal injury attorney, it can lead to a settlement for far less than what they are eligible for under their uninsured or underinsured motorist car insurance policy.
Working with a personal injury attorney to file a wrongful death claim against your uninsured motorist coverage is a very good decision, because this process can be stressful regardless, and even more so when victims are trying to come to terms with the reality of a tragic loss while also trying to make sense of their financial future.
Where is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Mandatory?
Compulsory uninsured motorist coverage, or underinsured motorist coverage, may seem like an unnecessary or frustrating additional expense, but according to the Insurance Research Council, “One in eight drivers on the road in 2019 was driving without insurance,” and “In 2019, the estimated countrywide uninsured motorist rate was 12.6 percent.”
When you consider the fact that you have a nearly 13% chance of being involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, purchasing this auto insurance coverage may no longer seem that unreasonable. Uninsured motorist coverage costs are minor compared to the damages you may incur if the at-fault driver does not have collision insurance and you are not adequately protected.
About Half Of All States Require Uninsured Motorist Coverage
In nearly half of all states and the District of Columbia, there is some form of underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage requirement. However, many states allow for a driver to opt out of this coverage. In many states where this type of liability insurance is not required, there is an option to opt into car insurance protection against an uninsured driver.
Do You Have Uninsured Motorist Insurance In Your Car Insurance Bundle?
Depending on the state you live in and the structure of your policy with your insurance company, there are a variety of ways that an insurance company can bundle your uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage. A great way to determine whether you have underinsured motorist insurance or uninsured motorist coverage is to review your liability insurance policy agreements and documents. You can also reach out to your insurance agent directly to make sure that you are able to purchase uninsured motorist coverage if you do not currently have this important liability coverage.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Is a Small Cost Compared To Total Damages
Compared to the cost of your overall liability insurance policy, the additional costs to protect yourself against an uninsured motorist are insignificant. This is especially the case when considering the potential enormity of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other common damages following a car accident.
For a few dollars more a month on your liability insurance payments, you can take to the roads with confidence. So, if you get in a crash with an uninsured motorist, you have the financial means to take care of the issues caused by their reckless or dangerous behavior.
A car accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist is one of the most frustrating experiences imaginable, especially if it causes bodily injury. You may need to pay out of pocket if your auto policy does not adequately protect you or your liability limits are too low to pay for all of the damages the accident caused. Speak with your insurance agent as soon as possible to learn about your liability limits, especially if you are in a state with more uninsured drivers than the national average.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
The following are just a few of the many questions commonly asked about uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage. It is smart to ask about your car insurance before a crash with an uninsured motorist, and you need compensation for medical expenses, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, uninsured motorist property damage, and other damages. It’s important to work with a personal injury attorney who can help you make sure that your uninsured motorist coverage pays what it should.
Keep in mind that the following questions and answers are meant to provide a general idea of your unique situation and are not meant to be taken as legal advice. 1-800-Injured will connect you with a personal injury attorney who is experienced in handling claims against uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage. You can ask specific questions and get clear advice related to your unique situation. Contact us as soon as possible to get the support you need before taking on your car insurance or health insurance providers.