Why You Should Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Brian O Sutter
Accident Lawyers
Personal Injury
Accidents are no fun and can often cost you a ton in damages and medical fees. Thanks to Florida's no-fault insurance policy, Floridians are required to have at least the minimum amount of Personal Insurance Protection benefits also known as PIP. This allows you to receive financial help after an injury and get the medical care needed to recover. Sadly, not everyone is insured. In Florida, almost one in five at-fault drivers are still uninsured. Though Floridian drivers are required to have no-fault insurance, that may not be enough to cover the costs of being hit by an uninsured motorist. That is why insurance companies offer uninsured motorist coverage to give you that extra protection and assistance you may need after an accident. Understandably, not many people are eager to spend more when they already have some coverage.
You have no fault insurance so why do you need uninsured motorist coverage?
No-fault insurance, also known as PIP, is mandatory and carries a $10,000 limit in Florida. However, the term “no fault” can be a bit confusing. The term is used to describe an insurance system in which each driver's own insurance company pays for their driver's losses regardless of fault. Typically, this also means that the insurance company will provide payment for a portion of the medical expenses, lost wages, and certain out of pocket expenses. However, there are many kinds of losses suffered in more serious accidents that will not be covered by your no fault benefits.
Uninsured motorist coverage becomes important when you or your fellow passengers are injured in a auto accident caused by a driver who has no bodily injury liability insurance coverage or insufficient bodily injury liability coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage includes the following expenses: medical expenses and lost wages not fully paid by no fault coverage, future medical expenses and future wage losses, and non-economic damages such as physical and mental disability.
What if you were never offered uninsured motorist coverage by your insurance provider?
Insurance companies working with Floridians are required by law to offer uninsured motorist coverage. However, this kind of coverage is not mandatory and many do not take them up on the offer. In fact, those who decline are required to sign a form to prove that they were given the option. So even if you suggest that you were never offered uninsured motorist coverage, there is most likely evidence that will show otherwise.
What happens when the uninsured motorist coverage still doesn't cover what you need it to?
Sadly, insurance companies are eager to save themselves as much money as possible. This can mean greatly underpaying claims or even denying them altogether. This is known to frequently happen for those with the uninsured motorist insurance policies because of how much you can actually be compensated for.
If you have been hit by an uninsured motorist and are having trouble getting the financial compensation you need, make sure you have the professional representation of a skilled personal injury lawyer.
At All Injuries Law Firm, we are eager to help you get the financial compensation you deserve. Our professionals are well-versed in uninsured motorist insurance polices, Florida's car insurance laws, and how to help our clients get the settlements they need to move on. If you have been in an accident or want to learn more about compensation after being hit by an uninsured motorist, don't hesitate to contact us at All Injuries Law Firm.