Underinsured and Uninsured motorist insurance is more common than you would think, but it’s also a difficult field to navigate. What is it, and what does it cover? Here, we will look at the basics of this type of insurance, where it is required, and how it works.
What Is Underinsured or Uninsured Insurance?
Underinsured and uninsured insurance may be different, but they are similar enough in concept to cover them at the same time.
- Underinsured motorist insurance coverage makes sure that your expenses are paid. If you are involved in an accident with a driver who has liability insurance, but their insurance will not cover the extent of the damages. If they have a low coverage limit, this type of insurance will fill the gap between their limit and the limit of your underinsured motorist coverage.
- Uninsured motorist insurance coverage does the same thing, but it applies much more broadly. If the at-fault driver involved in the accident does not have any insurance at all, this coverage will help with your expenses resulting from the accident, including injury or repair.
When Does This Coverage Apply?
For the most part, this coverage applies in a few select circumstances for your car accident. Mostly, this type of insurance coverage helps cover you if the other driver involved does not have sufficient insurance or does not have insurance at all.
Underinsured or uninsured motorist insurance coverage applies in the following circumstances:
- You are involved in an accident that is not your fault.
- The at-fault driver involved in the accident does not have liability insurance to cover your injuries, damage, and repair of your vehicle.
- The at-fault driver involved in the accident does have liability insurance, but it does not cover all the injury, damage, and repair expenses you need afterward.
In some states, this coverage may apply after a hit-and-run accident, but this varies wildly from state to state so it may not apply to you.
How Does it Work?
In many ways, underinsured and uninsured motorist insurance coverage works in the same way as your other insurance coverage. You select the coverage limits (if they meet the requirements for your state). Instead of protecting other drivers from you, you are protecting yourself from the lower limits of other drivers.
This type of insurance can cover bodily injuries and even property damage, but not in all states. This can cover medical expenses, loss of income, funeral costs, and pain and suffering. On the property damage side, it can cover auto repairs, damage to other properties, and more.
Some states have special requirements that make their underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage work differently, usually if you are a victim of a hit and run. If the other driver involved in the accident is not identified, some states will not cover the expenses.
Is it Required in Your State?
Most states have some form of underinsured or uninsured motorist insurance coverage available, but only about half of the states require it one way or another. Even then, requirements vary by state and may be required separately. Between states, coverage limit requirements vary greatly.
The following states require underinsured motorist coverage:
- Connecticut
- Kansas
- Maine
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Virginia
The following states require uninsured motorist coverage:
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Conclusion
If you need help with a recent car accident or other personal injury case, contact Fairburn Personal Injury Lawyer today for help with your case.
