Each state requires that their drivers carry at least the legal minimum of liability. Insurance can be liability only or full coverage. An additional type of insurance coverage offered to drivers is known as uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).
What is uninsured motorist coverage? How does it work? This blog post answers some of the most important questions people have regarding this type of insurance. Below, our friends at Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC, discuss what you should know about this insurance policy.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage is an optional type of insurance you can take out. The purpose of this type of insurance is to keep you protected in the event of an accident with someone who has no insurance or who doesn’t carry enough insurance to compensate for the expenses associated with an accident.
If you choose to purchase this policy, you can choose to match your current liability limits or choose higher limits.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work?
This affordable additional car insurance policy pays you if you’re involved in an accident where at least one other driver didn’t carry insurance. If you file an uninsured motorist claim, you could receive a payout from your own insurance company.
With the price of both new and used cars at an all-time high, it doesn’t take much imagination to realize how easy it can be to have expenses that exceed policy limits. In that instance, you can file a claim and receive the difference between the original coverage and how much it goes over.
Uninsured and under-insured insurance also protects you if you are a pedestrian or a bicyclist. It can pay for your expenses or the difference between the coverage amount and the amount of expenses.
Should You Hire A Lawyer If You’re In An Accident
It can be beneficial to hire a car accident lawyer if you’re in an accident. You may find that although you carry the UM/UIM policy, that your own insurance company isn’t treating you fairly. A lawyer can handle the insurance company and/or the defendant so that you can focus on your recovery. A lawyer helps to make sure that you are treated fairly during the entire process.
Stay Protected With The Right Insurance Coverage
It’s certainly not a bad idea to use this summer to review your insurance policy to know if you have the right insurance, including uninsured motorist coverage. Stay safe over the summer!