Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Claims In Florida

How likely is it that you will need to deal with an uninsured motorist claim?

According to a recent study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), approximately 23 percent of Florida drivers are uninsured. This means that if you’re involved in a Florida car accident, there is nearly a 1 in 4 chance that the other party involved does not have accident coverage. Adding uninsured motorist coverage to your policy is a VERY good idea!

What is uninsured motorist (UM) coverage?

UM coverage is a type of coverage that you purchase from your insurance company to protect you in case of an accident. It is designed to provide protection when the person or company that caused the accident is uninsured, or underinsured. It is one of the most important insurance coverages you should purchase to protect you and your family from other people’s negligence.

When does UM coverage apply?

In any accident the at-fault person may not be insured, or may have caused injuries greater than the coverage available from the at-fault party. The at-fault Bodily Injury Coverage existence and amount triggers when and if you will be entitled to UM benefits.

When UM benefits apply, your own insurance company will be responsible to you up to the amount of the UM coverage that you purchased. If you have more than one car you may be able to stack your UM coverage per owned vehicle if you purchased stackable UM coverage.

What type of damages does UM cover?

UM coverage supplies you with the same damages that exist against an at-fault person. These damages include things such as your medical bills, therapy bills, care and treatment in the past and in the future. They also include wage loss and earning capacity loss in the past and in the future. Also, a UM claim covers the intangible damages such as pain, suffering and mental anguish.

Does UM only apply if I am in my car?

UM applies to accidents whether or not you are in your car. You could be a passenger in another person’s car and still be eligible for UM benefits.

Do I have an uninsured motorist claim?

The best way to find out if you are entitled to an uninsured motorist claim is to contact auto accident attorneys who know and understand this area of the law. In certain circumstances you may be entitled to UM benefits, even if you did not purchase them. An example of this is would be an on the job accident where your employer purchased UM coverage that applies to your particular case.

We will be happy to discuss with you at no charge whether UM benefits exist in your case. If they do exist we will explain what is available to you and what should be done to protect these valuable benefits. Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation about your case.