what is uninsured motorist coverage personal injury attorney

Full Answer

What does uninsured motorist coverage pay for?

If you get hit by someone who doesn’t have auto insurance, uninsured motorist coverage pays for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering...

What’s the difference between uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage?

Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your medical bills and other expenses when you’re hit by someone who doesn’t have auto liability insurance. Un...

What happens if I don’t have uninsured motorist coverage?

If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage and get hit by someone without insurance, you could sue the at-fault driver in court. But you would m...

Do I need uninsured motorist coverage if I have health insurance?

In states that require uninsured motorist coverage, you’ll need it whether or not you have health insurance. If your state doesn’t require it, you...

Do I need uninsured motorist coverage if I have collision and comprehensive coverage?

In states that require uninsured motorist coverage, you’ll need to purchase it regardless of whether you have collision and comprehensive insurance...

What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, also known as UM or UIM coverage, pays for your medical care and other expenses when you’re involved in an accident caused by someone who does not have valid auto insurance or when the driver responsible for the accident has insurance that doesn’t sufficiently cover your expenses. Benefits may apply in a hit-and-run accident if a witness can verify the circumstances of the incident.

How Can I Protect My Legal Rights?

However, you should keep in mind that an insurance agent’s job is to keep costs down for his employer . Your insurance agent isn’t necessarily concerned with helping you receive a settlement that adequately meets your accident-related expenses.

Can you get insurance if you don't have a license in Louisiana?

Although the law requires drivers to have valid liability coverage, the truth is that many Louisiana motorists are uninsured. Some can’t get insurance because they’re driving without a license, while others may be making the choice to forgo coverage in favor of handling other expenses.

What Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance?

Uninsured motorist coverage provides extra security to drivers who are hit by drivers who do not have any liability insurance coverage. In Florida, it is not mandatory to take out uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance. However, auto insurers are obliged to offer it to you, and you have the option of turning it down.

How to File for Uninsured Motorist Insurance

Uninsured claims are filed against your insurance company and progress similarly to standard car insurance claims. You should file your uninsured motorist’s claims as soon as possible. This could be immediately you realize the other driver does not have insurance, or they refuse to share their insurance information.

Uninsured Motorist V Underinsured Motorist Insurance

Underinsured motorist insurance covers drivers who have insufficient insurance to pay for all the damages and injuries they cause. For instance, it is applicable when a driver caused a multiple car accident, and their insurance coverage is not enough to cater for all the repairs.

Types of Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Insurance coverage

These are the four main types of uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance coverage:

What Is Stacking Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Stacked insurance involves combining underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage limits to cover multiple vehicles. Florida allows stacking if you have a single policy for several cars or two or more policies in your name. Your limit for stacked insurance depends on the number of vehicles under one policy or the number of policies you have.

Do I Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage If I Have Health Insurance?

As earlier mentioned, you don’t need uninsured motorist coverage Florida, especially not when you already have health insurance. But you stand to gain more if you have it. That’s because although your health insurance will pay for your medical bills after a car accident, it will not help you recover lost wages or pain and suffering losses.

Do You Need Help With an Uninsured Motorist Insurance Claim?

With the growing number of accidents and uninsured drivers in Florida, it is increasingly crucial for you to take out an Uninsured Motorists Insurance claim. Unfortunately, uninsured insurance is not as straightforward as standard liability coverage.

What if your claim is worth more than the combined PIP and UM coverage?

Therefore, if your claim is worth more than this amount, then your insurance company will pay the total benefits of the PIP and then pay the total benefits of the UM coverage.

How much does PIP pay in Texas?

Let’s say you are involved in an accident and have medical expenses of $2,000. If your bodily injury claim is worth $5,500, then your PIP will pay $2,000 for the medical expenses and the remaining $3,500 ...

What happens if you are injured in an auto accident with an uninsured motorist?

If you are injured in an auto accident with an uninsured motorist, there are several coverages that may come into play with your claim. Of course, if you have uninsured motorist coverage (UM) , it will take the place of the liability insurance that the other driver should have had.

Why do you need an attorney for a claim?

An attorney can get the most value out of your claim because they have the education and experience to properly evaluate and present your case to the insurance adjuster. An attorney also holds the threat of filing a lawsuit which is something an unrepresented person cannot do themselves.

Can an attorney help with PIP?

Your attorney can also help you protect your insurance benefits. If your doctor collects the PIP directly, then you lose the opportunity to control the total funds of your settlement. If you hire an attorney, your attorney can take steps to secure your PIP benefits until the entire claim is settled. Then your lawyer will try to work out a compromise with your doctor on the medical expenses based upon the total value of your claim. This way, you get the benefit of the PIP rather than the whole amount being paid solely to the medical providers.