Being involved in a car accident can be a bad experience and worst if the at-fault driver lacks enough insurance. While no one expects to get involved in an accident, planning for the worst is always the best idea. If an uninsured driver hit your car, it could mean costly medical bills or vehicle repairs with your own money. You can get help if you protect yourself from uninsured motorist coverage. It is similar to purchasing an additional policy to cover you when the at-fault driver lacks insurance.
What is UM Coverage?
UM coverage stands for uninsured motorist coverage. It is a type of insurance protection in Florida that covers you when you are in a car accident with an uninsured driver. Since the other driver does not have insurance coverage to pay for your damages, your insurance company will cover you instead.
It can also protect you from getting involved in an accident with an underinsured driver. UM coverage in Florida safeguards you from the outcomes of irresponsible motorists.
What does UM Coverage Cover?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage does not only apply to only you, including when you are in the car. It can be used to cover for your family members whether they were in your vehicle or not, including you if you were riding with another person or in another person’s car. Also, UM Coverage protects the occupants of your car.
It includes hit and runs, vehicle collisions, and if you or your family members were hit as cyclists or pedestrians. UM Coverage covers bodily injury, medical expenses, lost wages, and sickness resulting from the accident.
You should note that it does not pay for your car. Instead, you can purchase collision coverage for catering for damages caused to your vehicle by an uninsured driver.
It also covers if you lose future life enjoyment, lifelong nursing care, disability, medical tools, wheelchairs, and death. It also covers the costs of services you are no longer capable of doing, such as cleaning, and the costs of retrofitting services to make your house serve disabilities that resulted from the vehicle accident.
Is UM Coverage on Every Auto Insurance Policy?
Before registering a vehicle in Florida, you need to submit proof of a Florida auto insurance policy, especially Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Uninsured motorist coverage can be included in your auto’s insurance policy. But there are additional coverages that you can choose to have in your insurance plan, and among them is the UM Coverage plan.
While getting this policy in some states is mandatory, it is optional in Florida. Therefore, the Law in Florida requires that every insurance company dealing with auto insurance policies should still have uninsured and underinsured coverage. The holder may reject the coverage when a company initiates its insurance policies.
Why is UM Important?
UM, coverage is essential because it covers you after an accident with an uninsured motorist. The important part is that you will get the money you require to cover damages regardless of the at-fault driver. It protects you from suffering unwanted financial obligations resulting from careless motorists.
If you take UM coverage, you will benefit from what is known as ”stacking.” In his scenario, you can stack coverage as a policyholder depending on the number of cars under the protection. For example, if you purchase $200,000 UM Coverage and three of your cars are under this policy, you will stack the policy so that you have $600,000 coverage.
This policy is also important as it covers you from hit-and-run accidents. This type of accident is when a careless driver hits your car and disappears from the scene without leaving contact information.
Do I Need UM Coverage if I Have Health Insurance?
UM coverage settles expenses caused by underinsured and uninsured drivers. However, many people drive without Bodily Injury coverage in Florida because the law does not mandate it. It is misleading to say that if someone owns health insurance, they do not need UM Coverage. You should note that health insurance does not cater to expenses similar to uninsured motorist coverage.
For example, you can lose health insurance if you lose your job at any time, which means you will also lose the benefits of health coverage. Also, health insurance does not cover lost wages and suffering. Therefore, UM coverage protects you and your family from auto accidents, and it is crucial to have it even when you have health insurance.
How much UM Coverage Should I Have?
Florida has a No-Fault law that requires motorists registered in the state to have a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) of a minimum of $10,000 and Property Damage Liability (PDL) of the same amount throughout the vehicle’s registration period.
Do I Get UM Coverage If I’m A Passenger in A Car Accident?
Passengers, too, can suffer injuries like drivers. Luckily, Florida laws enable passengers to be compensated for damages or losses they suffered due to car accidents through their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. That indicates you can claim compensation even if you were not the one driving. But PIP cover applies to only drivers who own the vehicle. Therefore, if you were just a passenger and did not own the PIP, you will get compensated through Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) insurance cover of the car you were a passenger of. This happens because Florida has a No-fault law.
Sometimes when the other driver is fully responsible for the accident, the passenger and the driver should seek compensation. Therefore, you should file a claim with your insurance company as a passenger. If this is not available, you can ask the driver of the car you were riding in to cover the costs and damages you suffered from the accident.
Do I Need UM If I Have Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?
Florida is famous for having many uninsured drivers on the roads. Therefore, every driver is needed to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $10000. This cover settles the driver’s medical expenses and losses in case of accidents, regardless of who caused it. However, insurance companies may still tell motorists to carry UM coverage. Florida is a no-fault state, so the driver’s insurance will pay for the relevant damages. This state does not need one to carry uninsured motorist insurance but it is important to carry because it protects from the carelessness of other drivers. If they cannot afford to compensate you, you will have to face the damages yourself, which can be stressful. Getting UM shows that you have extra protection from accidents that could ruin your physical and mental health, including your finances.
Many things can happen when you are involved in an accident; that is why you need protection. Every time you are on the road, you should endeavor to protect yourself from careless drivers and sudden accidents. From putting on a seat belt to constantly checking side mirrors, there are various ways to guard yourself against accidents. Uninsured motorist coverage is the surest way in Florida to protect yourself from the adverse effects of accidents.
If you would like to speak to a Florida lawyer about an accident that involved an uninsured driver, contact KMW today.