Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance:  Why do they matter?

When purchasing automobile insurance, you should understand how much uninsured motorist insurance coverage (UM) and underinsured motorist insurance coverage (UIM) your policy will provide to you.  These policies are important for drivers because they help protect your family in the event you are injured by another motorist.

UM is a coverage that protects you if you are injured in a crash due to the fault of a driver who does not have any insurance coverage.  This coverage also protects you if you are injured by a driver who commits a “hit and run” by fleeing the scene.  Instead of bringing a claim against the at-fault motorist, you would be able to assert a claim against your own insurance company for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages, which would normally be brought against an at-fault motorist.

UIM is a coverage which protects you if the at-fault motorist in a crash does have automobile liability insurance coverage, but the coverage is insufficient for the damages you have suffered.  In Minnesota, a motorist can legally purchase the state liability minimum limits of $30,000.00 per person.  For many serious crashes, this is grossly inadequate.  Unfortunately, many drivers on Minnesota roads only purchase the state minimum.

Drivers should also consider making sure that any umbrella insurance policy they purchase includes excess UM/UIM coverage, which pays you after your auto policy’s UM/UIM limits have been exhausted.

UM and UIM coverages are very important because they prevent you from having to pay out of pocket for expenses from a car crash that you did not cause.  If you have been in a car crash and have questions about your insurance coverage, please contact us.  We are experienced trial attorneys who understand insurance coverage issues.

For a free consultation call us at 952-442-7737 or email me at [email protected].