Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
Although drivers are required to carry auto insurance, some do not. This not only puts the uninsured driver at risk, but also someone that is injured at the hands of an uninsured driver because there will no coverage for damages. That is where underinsured and uninsured motor insurance comes in. In cases where an at-fault driver has no insurance or the bare minimum, uninsured or underinsured auto insurance can cover victims of motor vehicle accidents.
Uninsured Motorist Accidents
If your insurance company offers uninsured motorist coverage, and you elected to include it in your policy, then your insurance company will act as if it were the at-fault driver’s insurance company in compensating you. Very similar to filing a claim against another driver’s insurance company, when you file an uninsured claim with your own insurer, they are going got look out for their own interests, not necessarily yours. Insurance companies will try to save money and you may be in for an uphill battle to adequately cover costs associated with your injury so it is important to consult an attorney before filing a claim.
Underinsured Driver – Making Up the Difference to Cover Your Damages
When someone is uninsured, it means that the auto insurance a driver purchased does not provide enough coverage to compensate you for your damages. When an at-fault driver is underinsured and you have fortunately included underinsured motorist coverage as part of your insurance policy, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company in the amount that your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage. Because the cost of underinsurance coverage is very reasonable when compared to primary insurance, it is always a good idea to carry it.
Collecting insurance benefits under an uninsured or underinsured motorist policy
To recover benefits under an uninsured or underinsured motorist policy, an injured party is often required to show that the other motorist was at fault and that their bodily injuries are significant. In order to collect benefits under an underinsured motorist policy, the injured party typically must secure all insurance coverage available to them from the at-fault driver’s insurance company first and then they can file claim against their own insurance company for what is not covered.
Contact an experienced Iowa personal injury attorney
Drivers are required to carry insurance and many carry uninsured or underinsured insurance to protect themselves in case they are injured in an accident where the other driver either has no insurance or not enough. Carrying uninsured and underinsured coverage makes sense when considering that motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of injuries in the U.S. and the fact that medical costs are at an all-time high. If you injured in a car accident, the best advice is to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you get the maximum compensation for your injuries.