Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you are in an accident with someone who does not have enough insurance to cover damages. The coverage is something you purchase and allows peace of mind if you are in any accidents.
Nationally, around 13% of drivers do not have insurance. That equates to around one in eight drivers, which is a relatively high risk. If you get into a crash with an uninsured or underinsured individual, you would have to sue him or her personally for damages and injuries.
Kinds Of Coverage
Just like the names suggest, both uninsured and underinsured coverage apply to different situations. However, in each case the other driver must be at fault. Uninsured coverage applies when the other driver does not have liability insurance at all. Underinsured coverage applies when the other driver does not have enough insurance to cover all damages from the accident.
There are four kinds of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage:
- Uninsured motorist property damage;
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury;
- Underinsured motorist property damage; and
- Underinsured motorist bodily injury.
What It Covers
The insurance usually provides coverage for you, your household members, those given permission to drive your vehicle and passengers of your vehicle. It’s always a good idea to check your policy so you can be certain of who your plan covers. Your insurance company can explain the coverage in detail, so you know what to expect if you get into a crash.
If you suffer injuries in a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver, it may be necessary to discuss your claims with a personal injury attorney.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Source: Insure.com, “What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?“
