What You Need to Know About Uninsured Motorist Coverage

To say getting in a car accident is overwhelming is an understatement. From dealing with the shock of the accident, personal safety, and perhaps even the police, it can feel like there is simply too much to focus on. In such a high-stress environment, the last thing on your mind is the insurance status of the other person involved in the accident with you. However, with nearly one in eight motorists being uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council, it is vital that you have the proper coverage needed to protect yourself and your passengers in the event of an accident. Read on to find out what you need to know about uninsured motorist coverage.

What Is UM Insurance Coverage?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is a specific type of auto insurance that pays for your or your passengers’ medical bills if you are injured in a car accident in one of the three following scenarios:

1. You were involved in a hit-and-run where the driver who hit you fled the scene before you could gather any information from them
2. You were hit by a driver who does not carry liability insurance or the coverage necessary to cover the other party when you are at fault for an accident
3. The opposing party’s insurance carrier has denied coverage because they believe that their driver is not at fault for the accident

Understanding the different types of scenarios that UM coverage covers is crucial to ensuring your rights are protected following an accident.

What Does UM Coverage Actually Cover?

Now that we have established what UM coverage is, we can begin to understand what it actually pays for. First off, it is important to note what UM coverage does not pay for. UM coverage does not pay the other driver involved in the accident; it only exists to help you and your passengers. Instead, UM coverage is used to pay for you and your passengers’ medical bills, pain and suffering, as well as lost wages and funeral expenses if needed.

UM coverage only covers medical-related costs. However, in some states, you may also have the option to add Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) to your policy. If you elect to pay into UMPD coverage, you also have coverage to pay for your car’s damages if an uninsured motorist hits you. This type of coverage is separate from collision coverage, which is an option in every state. You can only use UMPD coverage in the above three mentioned scenarios, as opposed to whenever you elect to use it, as is the case with collision coverage. Furthermore, depending on your state, UMPD coverage does not carry fault, meaning that your insurance rates are not automatically raised when you use it.

Hire Us Today for Help Navigating Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Accidents are nearly always a stressful experience and are only made more stressful when trying to navigate the complex world of insurance. For assistance navigating the complexities of an accident where UMPD or UM coverage might be necessary, it is wise to consider hiring an experienced car accident attorney at Smith Hulsey who knows how to navigate insurance companies and ensure you are not paying more than you should. Give us a call today for more information on what you need to know about uninsured motorist coverage.