September 9, 2016
As a car accident lawyer, we encourage motorists to become at least somewhat aware of uninsured motorist coverage provisions in their automobile insurance policies. This provision provides insurance coverage in the event that the insured driver is involved in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist.
Fewer drivers are aware of the option to obtain underinsured motorist coverage when they obtain automobile insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage provides protection for a car owner involved in an accident caused by another driver who lacks sufficient insurance to cover all sustained losses. This kind of coverage can be hugely beneficial for you and your car accident lawyer when trying to obtain your just compensation.
Prevalence of Underinsured Motorists
Pinpointing precisely how many uninsured motorists are driving today is an impossible task. The reality is that the issue does not come up until an accident occurs and the driver at fault lacks sufficient coverage to compensate the innocent driver. The uninsured motorist rate in the United States does provide some a sense of the prevalence of drivers in the country who likely do not have sufficient insurance coverage.
One in eight motorists in the United States have no automobile insurance and drive anyway, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Of this group of drivers, 82 percent report they do not have car insurance because they cannot afford it.
These statistics provide some insight in regards to the prevalence of underinsured motorists on the roadway. Economic considerations, perhaps more than anything else, govern the typical person’s automobile insurance purchasing decisions. A considerable number of motorists buy only the minimum level of insurance mandated by the state laws in which their vehicles are registered. State minimums, while a step in the right direction, very often do not represent a level of coverage necessary to fully compensate those parties involved in an accident. The bottom line is there are far too many people driving with less than adequate insurance; which as any top car accident lawyer may explain, can create serious problems for anyone injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage: It’s Optional, But It’s Worth It
The day may come when state laws mandate the addition of underinsured motorist coverage in all automobile insurance policies. Currently, underinsured motorist coverage is an optional addition to one’s insurance coverage.
The reality of an automobile accident is that losses can increase quickly. A visit to the emergency room may cost thousands of dollars. A hospital stay may add tens of thousands of dollars to that amount. An injured person might end up being unable to work for an extended period of time, leading to unexpected lost wages. Additionally, the pain and suffering following a car accident can be profound. While a skilled car accident lawyer may be able to help you fight for compensation for a number of these damages, uninsured motorist coverage can also help alleviate some of the financial burden.
Cost of Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Generally, adding an underinsured motorist rider or supplement to an automobile insurance policy does not largely increase the overall premium. The cost of coverage depends to some degree on geographic considerations. A driver in a metropolitan area will pay more for underinsured coverage than will a person in a rural community.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist and are seeking more information, contact a local DC car accident lawyer today.
Thanks to our friends and co-contributors from Cohen & Cohen, P.C., for their added insight into uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.