Uninsured motorist coverage can help protect you from covering costs in collisions caused by an at-fault driver with no insurance.
Typically after an auto collision, the at-fault driver is liable for any of your medical and auto repair costs. But what if that driver doesn’t have enough liability coverage or none at all? What if the driver takes off before you can even find out? Fortunately, insurance exists, which serves to protect you from irresponsible drivers. Underinsured and uninsured motorist insurance is an essential coverage option, as part of your own automobile insurance policy, that can protect you from paying for collisions you didn’t cause and from complicated legal suits. Read on to discover the basics of this insurance coverage and how it can help you in the future.
Underinsured vs. Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Underinsured motorist coverage
Protects you if you are in an auto collision with an at-fault driver whose liability limits are not high enough to cover the damage or medical costs. The at-fault driver’s insurance will often pay up to the policy limit, and then your underinsured motorist coverage will cover the remaining amount up to the limits you select.
Uninsured motorist coverage
Protects you if you’re in an auto collision with an at-fault driver who carries no liability insurance
The Types of Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Underinsured and uninsured motorist insurance is broken down into two specific kinds of coverage types: one which covers bodily injury, and another which covers property damage.
UMBI: Underinsured/Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
This type of coverage is required in the state of Maryland and can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and injury-related expenses for you, permissive drivers, or passengers. This insurance can also provide coverage for any injuries sustained in hit-and-run accidents.
UMPD: Underinsured/Uninsured motorist property damage coverage
This kind of coverage can cover auto repair costs caused by an uninsured, or in some cases, underinsured driver.
Please be assured that pursuing an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim against your own insurance company will NOT affect your insurance rates.
How Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works
In 2012, the Insurance Research Council estimated that about 1 in 8 American drivers were uninsured. This is why uninsured motorist coverage is important to carry because you never know when that person who hits your car may be the person without coverage. Alternatively, the at-fault driver could have coverage but not nearly enough for the damages caused. If you were hit by an uninsured motorist, and you did not have UMBI or UMPD insurance, you would need to pay out-of-pocket for any damages and medical expenses not covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Let Simons & Goldner, P.A. Represent You
Simons & Goldner, P.A., located in Lutherville, MD, consists of two partners, Stevan G. Simons and Richard H. Goldner practicing primarily in personal injury, medical malpractice, Worker’s Compensation, and criminal law. The partners come with decades of experience assisting clients injured by the negligence of others or injured on the job. We serve clients in the Baltimore, Towson, Essex and Dundalk area and work closely with our clients to ensure that your case moves quickly and efficiently and that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled.
Initial consultations are available by phone or in-person and are free of charge. Contact us now to schedule a consultation, or call us today at 410-296-3110. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn for advice and updates.
