Uninsured Motorist Insurance Protects You and Your Family
If you were in an accident with an uninsured driver and you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage (UM coverage), you may find it difficult to seek compensation for unexpected medical expenses, lost wages, and other non-economic damages (e.g. permanent disability). While you may have auto and medical insurance to cover many of your expenses, these insurances will only pay a portion of your expenses. This article will help you understand the purpose of your UM insurance and how it can provide you with benefits in the event of an accident.
When Do I Use Uninsured Motorist Insurance?
UM insurance will pay for expenses related to an accident with a driver who does not have insurance (uninsured) or does not have enough insurance (underinsured). It is easy to understand UM insurance if you understand how it differs from other types of insurances you may have on your auto policy:
- Property Damage Liability: helps your pay for damage to property if you cause an accident. Florida law requires property damage insurance, however, it is possible another driver allowed their policy to lapse or cancelled the policy.
- Bodily Injury Liability Coverage: helps you pay for injuries that occur because of an accident you caused. Florida law does not require that bodily injury liability coverage is purchased or carried. This mean that many Floridians are uninsured or underinsured when they harm other driver, passengers, and pedestrians.
- Personal Injury Protection: using PIP does not depend on who caused the accident and will provide coverage for expenses related to an accident. Florida law requires all drivers to carry PIP. PIP works like a mini health insurance policy. PIP coverage insurance will compensate your and your family for medical costs, lost wages, and other unexpected medical costs. Generally, PIP is limited to $10,000 in medical/disability benefits and $5,000 in death benefits.
It is not certain that all your expenses will be covered even if another driver has property damage and bodily injury insurance. Your own PIP policy may not cover all expenses related to unforeseen medical expenses, future loss of earnings of loss of future earning ability, or disability. If you have UM coverage, then you will be able to recover your medical expenses, lost wages and other non-economic losses. This means you can use your UM policy once the at-fault driver confirms there is no insurance, or that there is not enough insurance, to cover your expenses.
Contact an Attorney
Uninsured motorist coverage can help you ensure that you and your family are protected if you are injured in an accident with an uninsured, or underinsured, motorist. If you have been in an accident with an uninsured motorist or and you have questions about your uninsured motorist insurance, then you should contact the Miami attorneys at the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. We can help you understand your insurance coverage and advise you on important next steps. Please contact us at 866-936-9761 to discuss your case.
