Let’s say you get into a car accident and the at-fault driver is uninsured or has only purchased the state minimum automobile insurance. Who pays for your injuries? If you purchased uninsured motorist insurance (UM Coverage) as part of your auto insurance policy, it takes the place of the missing bodily injury coverage and helps pay your medical expenses. While Florida law does not require that drivers carry UM coverage, it is some of the most beneficial car insurance you can purchase. This is particularly true because Florida also does not require drivers to purchase bodily injury coverage to compensate individuals they injure in a car accident.
A study done by the Insurance Research Council and The Hanover Insurance Group in 2015, found that 13 percent of U.S. drivers are driving around without car insurance! Despite the fact that 49 states require drivers to carry insurance, many fail to do so, or only purchase the state minimums. Florida has the highest percentage of uninsured drivers, at a whopping 26.7 percent!
When an uninsured motorist is at fault for a car accident, the injured driver and passengers are left to pay for their own medical bills. Additionally, an underinsured at-fault driver may only have minimum coverage or not have a bodily injury policy limit high enough to cover all of the damages they caused. Daniel Halsey, president of the Hanover Insurance Group, stated that the average damages in a UM claim total approximately $20,000.00, excluding damages done to a vehicle or personal property.
There are two types of UM coverage: bodily injury (UM) and property damage (UMPD). Bodily injury UM provides compensation for an individual’s medical expenses, lost wages, permanent injuries, and the pain and suffering caused by the accident. Property damage UM covers expenses associated with the repair of your vehicle, a total loss of your vehicle and any additional personal property that was damaged as a result from the accident.
Getting into a car accident with an uninsured driver can be financially devastating. We highly recommend reviewing your current auto insurance coverage to determine if you have purchased UM as part of your existing policy. We often find that insurance agents fail to advise consumers to purchase UM in an effort to make a policy seem more affordable. Additionally, you may have been told that if you have health insurance, UM is unnecessary additional insurance. This cannot be further from the truth.
Were you the victim of a negligent, uninsured driver? Do you need assistance in filing an uninsured motorist claim against your own insurance carrier? Would you like a free evaluation of your current auto insurance policy? Call us today at (904) 358-3300 to schedule a free consultation. We are here to help!
