Planning For The Unexpected: Uninsured Motorist Coverage
When buying auto insurance, most drivers try to get their premiums fairly low. Some drivers try to cover all of the unexpected possibilities, and a few opt to pay for lower deductible insurance " spending a little extra cash every month. Regardless of whether you're trying to go for a low rate or safety, every motorist should consider opting into uninsured motorist coverage. This is offered by many insurance companies as a way to protect drivers against the most frustrating and financially dangerous types of accidents.
As you may have already guessed, uninsured motorist coverage is exactly what it sounds like. When you're involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, this sort of coverage will take care of injuries and damage to you that normally the other driver's insurance would cover. Accidents with uninsured drivers can lead to hefty legal fees and other issues, and these are avoided with the proper coverage. In states like Florida, Oklahoma, New Mexico and California, the epidemic rate of uninsured drivers makes this type of coverage incredibly important. However, regardless of the state you typically drive in, coverage against uninsured drivers is a wise purchase. Check with your state, because in some, the coverage is actually mandatory. Drivers who do a lot of traveling should be especially interested in the security that this insurance provides.
Auto insurance policies that cover damages resulting from uninsured drivers vary quite a bit, but usually you can select the amount of coverage per area that you receive. It's always a good idea to match the coverage of your main policy, down to injury liability, as uninsured motorist coverage is very inexpensive. It's also very important to remember that the coverage only applies in situations where the uninsured driver caused the accident. In cases where you're at fault, you'll need other types of insurance (namely collision coverage) to ensure that you won't be on the hook financially. Be sure to read up on the terms of your coverage, especially if you're covering multiple drivers under the same insurance policy, to ensure that they'll be covered under the uninsured motorist coverage, as well.
Finally, it's quite important to remember that proper coverage doesn't exempt you from behaving rationally in an accident. Always try to get a copy of the other driver's insurance information, and always report accidents to the police. If you fail to do so, your insurance might not cover you in some difficult situations. Follow your state's laws when you're involved with an accident, and contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Whether the accident was with an insured or uninsured motorist, you'll minimize the chance of unpleasant litigation and court proceedings.
