Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries and damages when you are hit by a driver who carries no liability insurance. In a perfect world, every driver on the road would be properly insured. In reality, roughly one in eight drivers in the US has no coverage at all. Without uninsured motorist protection, you could be left paying out of pocket for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs through no fault of your own.
When an at-fault driver has no insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage steps in where their liability policy would have. You file a claim with your own insurer, and your policy pays up to your selected limits. There are two main types:
Some states also offer underinsured motorist coverage, which applies when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover your full losses. In many policies, both coverages are bundled together under a single endorsement.
Uninsured motorist coverage applies in several situations beyond a standard collision. It typically covers hit-and-run accidents where the other driver flees before you can get their information, and in some states it extends to accidents where you are struck as a pedestrian or cyclist. What it does not cover is damage you cause yourself, mechanical failures, or losses already covered by collision or medical payments coverage.
Liability minimums vary by state, and many drivers carry only the bare legal minimum. Even an insured driver may not carry enough coverage to pay for a serious accident. Your health insurance may cover some medical bills, but it will not compensate for lost income, pain and suffering, or property damage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage fills that gap at a relatively low additional premium cost.
Skipping uninsured motorist coverage to save a few dollars a month is a risk that rarely pays off. The prevalence of uninsured drivers makes this one of the most practical protections on any auto policy. A Truscott policy checkup reviews your current auto coverage, identifies any gaps including uninsured and underinsured motorist limits, and recommends adjustments that match your real-world risk. Reach out today and make sure you are covered no matter who else is on the road.
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