The Importance of Uninsured Motorist Coverage

What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured Motorist Coverage is add-on insurance protection for you and your family if you are in an auto accident with an uninsured  or under insured motorist who is at fault. To understand the importance of having Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM), here is the breakdown of coverage types:

• Uninsured/Under Insured Motorist coverage covers you and your family for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering if you’re in an accident caused by someone who doesn’t have insurance or enough insurance.
• Collision coverage protects your car if someone hits you and doesn’t have insurance or enough insurance to cover the damages to your vehicle.

If you are hurt or your car is in a crash caused by an at-fault driver, UM coverage helps pay for costs up to the limits in your policy. The cost of not having Uninsured Motorist Coverage can be devastating. Florida has many drivers with either no liability/bodily injury coverage to cover someone who is injured as a result of their negligence or a $10,000 liability/bodily injury policy.

Is Uninsured Motorists Coverage Required in Florida?

No. While Florida requires all motor vehicle owners to have the minimum amount of coverage, it is not mandatory to carry Uninsured Motorists Coverage or UMC. Florida law states a motor vehicle driver must carry a minimum of two types of insurance before registering a vehicle: Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability Insurance. Often, the minimum coverage is woefully inadequate. However, before the coverage is declined or accepted, a policyholder must be offered UM in writing.

The importance of having Uninsured Motorist Coverage cannot be stressed enough. Unfortunately, we have to protect ourselves and our family from those drivers who are irresponsible and carry the minimum or no coverage at all.

Not-So-Fun Facts about Florida Drivers

Critical information on the importance of Uninsured Motorists Coverage highlights some facts about Florida drivers:

• 1 in 4 of all Florida drivers are without any insurance
• Florida is the 6th worst state for uninsured motorists at 26.7%
• If an uninsured motorist hits you, your PIP insurance is unlikely to be enough to cover your losses.
• Accident probability is 34% higher among uninsured motorists than fully insured drivers.
• Hit-and-run drivers are also uninsured motorists.

Learn More About Uninsured Motorist Coverage And The Law At The Law Office Of Teresa P. Williams

If you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist and you are not sure of your rights, assistance is available. Schedule a free consultation with the Law Office of Teresa P. Williams at (727) 796-2706 today or contact us on our website here. The personalized legal experience you receive at Teresa Williams Law office is to pursue fair and maximum reimbursement for your injuries. Call now!