The purpose of insurance is to protect you when you need it most. It’s a safety net in the event of the unexpected – but what if we told you your car insurance plan might not be good enough? Reality check: it’s time to take a closer look at your policy.
According to Insurance Journal, nearly one in eight U.S. motorists is driving around uninsured and putting insured drivers at greater risk in the event of an auto accident.
Even if you have insurance, and someone else is at fault for striking your car, you may still be exposed to undue risk. There is a very real possibility that the person behind the other wheel may not have elected to pay the minimum liability required by law. That’s going to lead to some major problems.
What Is Under and Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Both under and uninsured motorist coverage policies serve important purposes. Uninsured coverage works to protect you if the party at fault has no insurance whatsoever. It will assist with covering some more of the bills associated with the incident.
Underinsured coverage, on the other hand, helps if you’re in a car accident, and the liable party has an insurance plan, but their coverage is too low to cover the damage they’ve caused. When this happens, UIM will pay for lost wages, medical expenses, and pain that you sustained as a result of the accident.
Holes in California Law
Unlike some other states, California does not require under and uninsured motorist coverage. This means that if you’re in an accident and the other driver doesn’t have a strong enough policy, you may still have to pay out of pocket for a lot of your personal expenses if you’re not too careful. You also won’t get reimbursed for factors like lost wages or emotional health.
In a state that has the most uninsured drivers in the nation, that can lead to some real problems. In our opinion, it makes a great argument for being prepared ahead of time. Do your best to purchase under and uninsured motorist coverage when reviewing an auto insurance policy. If you’ve already got your policy figured out, adding or increasing the UIM coverage often doesn’t cost much, and can make a huge difference should the time come when you need it.
Get Coverage Immediately
Above, we covered the risks that driving in California poses to those on the road every day. We also went over the benefits of under and uninsured coverage. By now, you should have a good understanding of why you need to get coverage immediately. So, what are you waiting for? Get your policy reviewed. Ultimately, it doesn’t cost much more to add this necessary coverage.
Make the call to your insurance agency as soon as possible. Nobody knows if they’re going to be in a car accident, and who the other party will be. Having UM and UIM in your back pocket is the best way to protect yourself and your passengers from the negligence of others.
Call Rawlins Law
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, or if you’re looking for more information regarding the importance of UM and UIM Insurance, reach out and talk to Rawlins Law. Firm founder Ashley Rawlins provides honest, ethical, and compassionate representation, and she will give you clear information on where your case stands and what she needs from you to win it! To schedule a free consultation, please call the Rawlins Firm at 858-257-8778.
