Our Attorneys Help You Understand What Compensation Your Auto Insurance Provides
Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage protects a person injured in an automobile accident if the person that caused the accident does not have their own bodily injury coverage. Bodily injury coverage is a type of car insurance that allows a person to be compensated for their pain and suffering, and other damages that arise our of a car accident. In Florida, drivers and owners of automobiles are only required to have Property Damage and PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage. This means that if a person causes an accident injuring you or your loved ones, and they only have the minimum coverage required by the State of Florida, they will most likely not have coverage which affords you compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, loss of ability to earn a living, and many other difficulties which arise out of car accidents. That does not, however, mean you should simply avoid pursuing a lawsuit with an uninsured individual. Let a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney evaluate your claim during a free first meeting so you fully understand your options.
What to Know When Purchasing Uninsured Motorist Coverage
It is important that you have as much information on Uninsured Motorist coverage as possible when you purchase your car insurance. You can gain more information on Uninsured Motorist coverage by reviewing Florida Statute section 627.727. This section states that no automobile insurance policy which provides Bodily Injury coverage in the State of Florida shall be issued without Uninsured Motorist coverage unless the insurance company obtains a written rejection of the Uninsured Motorist coverage from the person purchasing the insurance policy. If the insurance company which provides your car insurance coverage did not obtain your written rejection of Uninsured Motorist coverage, you may be entitled to Uninsured Motorist coverage even if you have not paid the premium for that type of coverage.
This is information on Uninsured Motorist coverage which you will probably never be told by an insurance company. Keep in mind that your insurance company has to obtain one of these written waivers when you first purchase the policy of insurance, or if you change any of the terms of your car insurance coverage. For example, if you currently have $10,000.00 in Bodily Injury coverage limits, and you purchase a new vehicle and decide to increase your Bodily Injury coverage to $25,000.00, your insurance company has to obtain a new Uninsured Motorist coverage waiver.
As stated above, Florida law requires that anyone driving on the roads have at least Property Damage and PIP coverage. Unfortunately, as we all know, many drivers driving in Florida do not carry the minimum coverage required by Florida law. This is why it is critical to purchase Uninsured Motorist coverage if you can afford it. Next time you speak to your insurance agency, make sure you request additional information on Uninsured Motorist coverage so that you can adequately protect yourself.
What is the Difference Between Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured Motorist coverage can apply in two situations. It will cover you in a car accident where the other driver does not have any coverage at all, as well as when the other driver only has minimal Bodily Injury policy limits. If the value of your injuries and damages exceeds the value of the Bodily Injury coverage of the person that caused the accident, you can make a recovery under the “Underinsured” coverage of your policy. Underinsured Motorist coverage is the same as Uninsured Motorist coverage, it just applies in different situations. Underinsured Motorist coverage will apply when a person has Bodily Injury coverage but only minimal policy limits. Uninsured Motorist coverage applies when the person that caused your accident does not have any coverage whatsoever.
They say information is power. With car insurance coverage, the more information on Uninsured Motorist coverage you have, the more educated you will be the next time you go to purchase automobile insurance coverage.