The Importance of Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Most people think that uninsured motorist coverage takes care of your vehicle in the event that your vehicle is damaged due to an accident with an uninsured driver. But uninsured motorist is for medical expenses you may incur after being in an accident with an uninsured driver.

Medical expenses can stack up, and they can stack up quick. With the amount of uninsured drivers on the roads, you don’t want to be left paying those bills yourself.

Uninsured motorist coverage isn’t required, but it’s always a great addition to your auto policy. Uninsured motorist will also help with medical expenses for passengers of your vehicle if they, as well as you, are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.

Uninsured motorist doesn’t just protect you against those without insurance, but it helps protect you against those that are under insured as well. The state liability minimum is 25/50/25, which doesn’t go very far in terms of medical payments. If you were to be taken by ambulance a long distance, and then faced a stay in the hospital, even though the other driver had insurance, that amount could be topped out easily.

You can purchase uninsured motorist that matches your liability limits, or you can have your uninsured motorist coverage raised. Most people have their uninsured motorist match their liability, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you decide you want state minimum liability, you can still have increased uninsured motorist coverage if you want to.

Uninsured motorist does raise your monthly premium, but think of how beneficial it would be if you were to need it. Motorcycle policies also offer uninsured motorist coverage, but those premiums are usually very high. On a motorcycle, there isn’t a steel cage around you like there is in a vehicle. It essentially is just you, and the road or other driver. Uninsured motorist coverage for your motorcycle policy will be a bit pricier, but it’s really valuable to have.

If you’re curious whether or not you have uninsured motorist coverage ask your agent, or look on the declaration page that you receive every term renewal. If you’re also curious about what it would cost to add that coverage to your policy, your agent should be able to make an endorsement quote to let you know how that additional coverage would impact your premium.

As always, speak with your agent if you’ve got questions about uninsured motorist, and have them discuss with you the benefits of that coverage.

-Jordan Newcomer

Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent