Uninsured Motorist Auto Insurance: Important Protection

Written By: Dan Carter on June 30, 2010 No Comment

Despite state law and regulation for all driver’s to carry adequate liability insurance, there are still those drivers on the road with no insurance coverage at all. Due to this negligence on the part of irresponsible drivers, many states now also require the additional purchase of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Uninsured motorists are ten times more likely to drink and drive and three times more likely to be convicted of negligent driving. About 15 percent of drivers do not carry insurance. So it’s not surprising that, one in ten of all drivers have been involved in accidents with uninsured drivers. So what should you do if this happens to you and what can you do to protect yourself?

When an accident happens, it’s hard to know whether or not the other driver has insurance. You should respond the way you would to any accident. Write down as much information as you can about the other car, like make and model, and license and registration numbers. Get the other driver’s information as well, keeping in mind that he might not be telling the truth.

Also note the damage to the other car and the accident scene. Remember to record road signs and markings, light and weather conditions and whether the other car had its lights on. The more detail you can record, the better. If you are fortunate enough to have an independent witness get their full contact details. And if you also happen to have a camera with you, take lots of pictures (try to get one with the other driver clearly in the picture). The police might have use for that one!

Comprehensive auto insurance will provide the protection of your insurer to pay for your car repair, minus the deductible. However, if your claim is as a result of damage caused by a uninsured or underinsured motorist, you might be able to have that repair deductible waived by your insurance company. Regardless of the scenario, however, you might lose your no claims discount.

Even drivers who have auto insurance sometimes only carry the minimum limits, which may not be enough to cover all of the damages in an accident for which they are responsible. If the at-fault driver cannot pay the out of pocket expenses for the damages that insurance doesn’t cover, you will be left with the bill yourself unless you have Underinsured Motorist insurance.

The most advantageous approach is to drive defensively, always wear a seatbelt, and to purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with your vehicle insurance policy.

If the at-fault driver cannot pay for the damages that insurance doesn’t cover, you will be left with the bill yourself unless you have Underinsured Motorist Insurance. Protect your finances with Uninsured Motorist Insurance.