Why You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage.

Too often people injured in auto accidents are not adequately compensated for their damages by the person responsible for the accident. This is because many people drive without any automobile liability insurance coverage or with only the minimum amount required by state law. Therefore, when buying auto insurance, it is important to protect yourself and your family by purchasing a policy that includes uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, often referred to as “UM” coverage, reimburses policyholders in an accident involving an uninsured, underinsured or hit-and-run driver.

A driver who has no liability insurance (uninsured) or who does not have enough liability insurance to pay for all the damages he or she caused (underinsured), can leave you paying all or some of your bills out of your own pocket. Uninsured motorist insurance will compensate motorists for bodily injury or property damage. Also, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage will protect you in the event that the driver who caused the accident cannot be identified, such as in a hit and run.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

In some states, such as Louisiana, uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in every automobile liability policy written in the state. Consequently, in Louisiana, if the person purchasing an automobile insurance policy doesn’t want uninsured motorist coverage, he or she must specifically reject it. Rejecting or electing to lower the limits of your uninsured motorist coverage could end up costing you much more than the relatively low cost of this coverage.

The minimum amount of automobile liability insurance coverage that drivers are required to have fluctuates by state. Check with your state department of insurance to find out what the auto insurance coverage requirements are in your state.

The amount of uninsured motorist coverage that you can purchase cannot exceed the amount of bodily injury coverage provided by your policy. Purchase enough insurance coverage to protect you, your family and your passengers. For example, if you purchase an auto liability policy with liability limits of $15,000, the maximum amount of UM coverage you can purchase is likewise $15,000. This may not be enough to cover all of your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering caused by an uninsured motorist.