What Is the Purpose of Obtaining Uninsured or Underinsured Motor Coverage?

What Is the Purpose of Obtaining Uninsured or Underinsured Motor Coverage? If you’ve recently been in a car accident and found out the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you may be wondering what to do next. There are many challenges that arise after being involved in a car accident, but these can intensify when you’re dealing with an uninsured motorist. You may start feeling the heavy burden of being responsible for all car damages and hospital bills, which can be a significant damper if the other driver is at fault. This is why it’s highly recommended to have uninsured motor coverage. If you aren’t familiar with this type of policy or aren’t sure if its addition has any value, keep reading to understand its benefits to determine whether uninsured motorist insurance is right for you. Then, consider speaking to a trusted attorney at our Port St. Lucie car accident law firm about your accident and case possibilities. 

What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motor Coverage? 

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is a policy that helps you financially if you are involved in a wreck with another driver who has little to no insurance. If the other driver is found primarily at fault for the wreck but does not have insurance to help cover your damages, having this type of insurance can significantly help.  UM (Uninsured Motorist) Coverage in Florida is not a requirement for drivers in Florida. For this addition, it only costs Port St. Lucie, Florida, residents and other counties $50-$75 extra annually, which can be beneficial since 27% of Florida drivers are uninsured.  Collision coverage is another policy that is not required in Florida, but many drivers opt to add in their expenses because it covers car damages that Florida driver insurance requirements do not cover. However, do not think that collision coverage will help solve the problem if you’re in an accident with an uninsured motorist.  This type of policy will only help pay for car damages and not medical bills, which uninsured motorists can cover. To ensure that you are fully covered after an accident with an uninsured motorist, adding collision coverage and UM can protect you at all angles.  The bottom line is that while UM is not a requirement in Florida, ask yourself if you would rather pay the $10,000-$20,000 and beyond after being in a wreck with an uninsured driver or if you’d rather pay the $50-$75 annually for any possible scenario. 

How Uninsured Motor Coverage Works 

Protecting your finances after a car accident with an uninsured motorist is extremely important. Once you add a UM policy and it goes into effect, your policy will be responsible for assisting you financially in the following areas:

• Medical bills
• Medical assistance and equipment (such as wheelchairs)
• Pain & suffering
• Death
• Lost wages (if you’re out of work)
• Disability
• Nursing care (short-term and long-term)

Florida Driver Insurance Requirements

Since Florida follows a “modified comparative rule,” all parties involved in a car accident share the blame and drivers are required to carry certain insurance limits.  Florida requires drivers to carry “no-fault car insurance” that is split up into two categories:

• A minimum of $10,000 in PIP (personal injury protection)
• A minimum of $10,000 in PDL (property damage liability)

Personal injury protection helps to cover medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault, while property damage liability covers the damages your car makes to the other driver’s vehicle.  

What To Do If You’re Involved in An Accident with An Uninsured Driver?

After a car accident of any kind, the best thing you should do is remain at the scene and collect the other driver’s information. Ask for their name and phone number and whether they have any insurance as you wait for the police to arrive. If they say they don’t have insurance, you don’t have to panic if you have UM coverage.  The police will still come out to the scene and file a report, which can be used as evidence for your insurance claim when you seek a settlement.  Another important thing you should do at the scene of the accident is to take photos of the damages to your car, the road, and any other elements you feel is important to document in your case. Photo proof is extremely important for your attorney to use for your insurance policy.  Unless you’re severely injured, you may need to contact your insurance company immediately to notify them of the accident.

When To Speak to A Lawyer

Instead of waiting for your insurance company to potentially reject your claim or shorten your settlement, it’s important to speak to a lawyer beforehand. A trusted attorney in Port St. Lucie, Florida, can make all the difference in the outcome of what you receive out of your settlement.  Sadly, your insurance is not out to be as helpful as they advertise, even if you are not responsible for the wreck at all. Your insurance provider will undergo an investigation and review all the photo evidence and your vehicle to determine how much you deserve in compensation.  While it’s a requirement for Florida drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP and PDL, this does not mean you will receive it all for any accident. Your insurance policy can shorthand you, but luckily, your lawyer can help you avoid this.  Lawyers have the necessary negotiation skills to speak with your insurance company about reaching an adequate settlement. If your insurance policy gives you a low figure on the first offer, your lawyer can look over the figures and advise you on if you should reject the offer.

Talk To an Awarded Florida Car Accident Lawyer Today

Car accidents can be challenging, but you can reduce the stress by hiring a Port St. Lucie Car Accident Lawyer. Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers is a trusted firm that’s been in practice for over 40 years helping the residents of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and surrounding areas seek the compensation they deserve after car accidents with an uninsured motorist (by appointment only).  If you have recently been involved in this type of accident, we can help you seek compensation for your losses and damages regarding your vehicle and medical expenses. First, however, we highly recommend you have UM coverage to assist you in these scenarios.  To get started with your case, visit our website to leave your contact information or call our office at (561) 800-8000 to schedule your free consultation to discuss your claim in greater detail. If you think that we are a great fit, we can start working on your case immediately.  Don’t let an uninsured motorist keep you from the help you deserve. Contact us today.