“Uninsured” and “Underinsured” Motorists Coverage is a form of automobile coverage that allows you to collect from your own insurance carrier when a driver of another vehicle has no insurance or inadequate insurance to cover you for injuries they may have caused.
WHY IS “UNINSURED” AND “UNDERINSURED” MOTORISTS COVERAGE SO IMPORTANT?
In California, 1 in 7 drivers are driving without car insurance. That means that if they cause an accident and do not have adequate assets, you may not be able to collect compensation for your injuries. This is why “Uninsured” and “Underinsured” Motorists Coverage is so important.
Further, California only requires that drivers maintain a minimal automobile insurance policy in the amount of $15,000.
If another driver crashes into you, and they only have a minimal policy ($15,000), you may not be able to collect above that amount without “Uninsured” and “Underinsured” Motorists Coverage.
By way of example, let’s say that you are involved in an accident and your medical bills are in the amount of $100,000. Now, let’s assume that you have a $100,000 “Uninsured” and/or “Underinsured” Insurance Policy. Using the example above, you would be able to collect $15,000 from the other driver’s insurance AND another $75,000 from your own insurance using Uninsured” and “Underinsured” Motorists Coverage.
This way you can make two claims – one against the other driver’s insurance carrier and one against your own insurance carrier.
BUT DOES MY PREMIUM OR INSURANCE RATE GO UP IF I TRIGGER MY UNINSURED” AND “UNDERINSURED” MOTORISTS COVERAGE?
The answer is generally no. if another driver was at fault for the crash, using your Uninsured” and “Underinsured” Motorists Coverage should not increase your insurance rate or premium.
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