Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
According to the Insurance Research Council, more than 26% of drivers in Florida are uninsured. This means that if you are involved in an accident, there is better than a 1 in 4 chance that the person who hit you has no insurance. Even if they are insured, it is likely that the driver only carries the minimum amount of insurance required. In Florida, this is $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 for property damage. If you are seriously injured in an accident, and it was the fault of the other driver, it is unlikely that this minimum amount of insurance will be enough to cover your expenses and damages.
What is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
You can protect yourself by carrying uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM coverage will cover you if you are seriously injured in a car accident with someone who does not have car insurance or who does not have enough insurance to cover the damage they’ve caused.
What does UM Insurance Cover?
If you are injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, your UM coverage will cover more than just your current medical expenses. UM coverage can also cover lost wages, future medical expenses, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Should I Purchase UM Coverage?
Drivers, especially in Florida, should seriously consider purchasing UM coverage as part of their auto insurance. The cost of coverage is small compared to the mountain of damages you could face if you are seriously injured in an accident. Your insurance carrier is required to offer UM coverage, and if you don’t want to purchase it, you must reject it in writing.
What is “Stacked” UM Coverage?
If you have stacked UM coverage, it means that you can “stack” your coverage based on how many vehicles you have insured. So if, for instance, you have $100,000 in UM coverage on each of your 3 vehicles you may be able to recover up to $300,000 if you stacked your coverage. With stacked UM coverage, the amount of coverage is multiplied by the number of vehicles you have insured.
Contact a Trusted Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Contact the trusted lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk online or call us at 1-800-538-4878 to schedule your free consultation.