Introduction
Automobile liability insurance is typically required by law, while minimum levels of coverage vary from state to state. To put it simply, an uninsured motorist (UM) is a negligent driver whose insurance company refuses to pay a claim, is unable to pay the claim, or whose insurance policy does not cover the damages caused by accident. One who causes an accident and then flees the scene is also regarded to be driving without insurance.
Without uninsured coverage, you may not be compensated for damages caused by a collision in which the other driver was at fault. You can choose between two different kinds of uninsured motorist protection. The bodily injury coverage from uninsured motorists will pay for your medical bills, and the property damage coverage will reimburse you for the damage to your vehicle.
What Does Uninsured Motorist Insurance Cover?
When an uninsured driver causes an accident, uninsured coverage can assist cover the costs of medical care and vehicle repairs. When another person is at fault for your vehicle's damage or your health, but they don't have the financial resources to compensate for your medical expenses or other losses, your uninsured coverage (UM) kicks in.
Types of UMC
Motorist coverage often comes in two varieties:
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage
This insurance will help you pay for medical care, missed wages, and emotional distress after an accident. You won't have to worry about paying medical bills or lost wages if you have any passengers with you. These policies often have two maximums: one for each individual and one for each accident. For liability coverage of $25,000 per individual and $50,000 in total per incident, the form would read "25/50." In some places, drivers can pool their limits into a single total.
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage
When an uninsured driver causes damage to your vehicle or other property, this protection will pay for the repairs. The damages incurred due to a hit-and-run accident are covered in some states. The deductible for this protection could be up to $300.
What Happens If You Have an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist?
You might believe that filing a claim with the other driver's insurance company is the next logical step if you are injured in a rear-end collision caused by someone who does not have insurance. If they don't have insurance, you won't be able to either. Your UMBI policy will contribute to your costs. Forget about using your health insurance or paying out of pocket for medical care if you don't have coverage. As an added downside, medical leave for injury recovery means less money in your pocket. In light of this, it is crucial to ensure adequate UMBI coverage.
The Benefits of Uninsured Motorist Coverage
On average, a person driving for a living will be in four car accidents over their lifetime. This may not seem like a lot, but it's impossible to know how serious each given accident will be. Extreme injuries or major damage to your vehicle can have long-lasting consequences. Even though Florida law mandates that all motorists carry at least the bare minimum of liability coverage, our state still has the second-highest rate of uninsured motorists in the country at about 24 percent. This equates to roughly 25% of Florida drivers who are uninsured. Your injury protection (PIP) coverage may not cover all of the costs of a collision caused by one of these drivers, leaving you responsible for paying for costly medical care and vehicle repairs out of pocket. Insured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage is handy in situations like these.
Who Needs Motorist Coverage?
There's a chance it'll come in handy for anyone who drives. There's no telling if the person who hits you will have insurance or if they'll have enough insurance to cover your medical bills and car repairs. Hit-and-run accidents, in which the other driver cannot be located to settle your damages, are also covered by uninsured motorist policies.
Conclusion
When an accident occurs, and another driver is to blame, you can submit a claim to that driver's insurance carrier. You might use the money from the claim to fix your automobile or pay for your medical fees if you were hurt in the accident. Having uninsured coverage might reduce the amount you have to pay for damages to your vehicle or medical expenses if the other driver does not have enough insurance or insurance. Again, this may be discretionary depending on your location, but having this protection in place can be comforting in an accident.
