A significant number of drivers are without insurance coverage. Some drivers are even unlicensed. Of course, both of these types of drivers are violating the law. But that doesn’t seem to stop them. So, what can you do to protect you and your family when one of these lawbreakers causes a collision? The answer is UM and UIM coverage. UM stands for uninsured motorist. If you have UM coverage, your own insurance carrier will pay for the medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering that the uninsured motorist caused. By the way, your UM coverage will also be triggered when the offending driver is a hit-and-run driver. When your insurance company offers you UM and UIM coverage, accept it. If you have already rejected it, then contact them to include it (You’re allowed to change your mind). When you say “yes” to UM coverage, you should also say “yes” to UIM coverage. UIM stands for Underinsured Motorist. If you or a member of your family is severely injured, then the limited policy of the offending driver (if they have a policy) will not fully cover your loss. A healthy amount of UIM coverage will allow your insurance company to pick-up the difference. Example: If your injuries are worth $100,000 and the offending driver only has the minimum 25,000/$50,000 coverage, then all you will recover is $25,000. If you have UIM coverage of $100,000, then you will be fully compensated (i.e. medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.). Conclusion: UM and UIM coverage, as well as Med Pay (see article here) are there to protect you from large medical bills and to compensate you for injuries that would otherwise go uncompensated or under-compensated. Getting injured is trouble enough; there’s no need to compound it with mounting medical bills and getting little or nothing for injuries caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Protect yourself and your family. Contact Us Today at (623) 533-7091 to get the compensation and help you deserve, from a team that cares and has been handling personal injury cases since 1990.
--The Luccitti Law Firm
Disclaimer: Please bear in mind that this is for general interest and informational purposes only, and not legal advice. Exceptions to general rules will often exist. Speak directly with an attorney when seeking legal advice.