Why Some States Require Uninsured Motorist Coverage
For many years now, many states have required owners of vehicle to carry uninsured motorist vehicle coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage or UM coverage covers drivers, passengers and pedestrians who are injured by uninsured or unidentified vehicles. States have added uninsured vehicle coverage to the list of mandatory car insurance because of an increase in the number of accidents drivers and pedestrians were having with uninsured vehicles.
According to the statistics, there are a tremendous number of vehicles that are operated on the road that do not carry the required car insurance. To protect residents of their states, many states began requiring that insureds carry uninsured motorist coverage to protect against losses should they ever be hit while walking in the street or in a vehicle by an uninsured motorist. Uninsured motorist coverage covers drivers, passengers and pedestrians from out-of-pocket losses for items such as loss of wages, pain and suffering, medical bills and other items that are typically paid for by the responsible party's insurance company.
What is great about uninsured motorist coverage is that insureds can recoup damages for their losses even in cases where the responsible party's vehicle is unidentified and flees the scene. In addition to covering drivers and passengers involved in vehicular accidents, many states began requiring UM coverage after experiencing an increase in the number of pedestrians that were injured by uninsured or unidentified motorists. Pedestrians that own a vehicle in a state where UM coverage is mandatory have the added reassurance of knowing that they are protected if they are ever injured by an uninsured or unidentified vehicle while walking in the street.
Without UM coverage many drivers, passengers and pedestrians would sustain damages and losses that would otherwise not be covered by insurance companies. Insureds that live in states where UM insurance is mandatory know that they are covered even when they are hit by an uninsured vehicle that does not carry the required car insurance.
What is great about uninsured motorist coverage is that the additional coverage typically does not cost too much to carry. The types of UM coverage varies from state-to-state. In states where UM coverage is mandatory, insureds normally have coverage that covers losses related to injuries. However, uninsured motorist coverage is usually also available for uninsured property damage claims as well. For individuals injured by an uninsured vehicle, UM insurance can truly make a difference.
By requiring that owners of vehicles carry uninsured motorist coverage, states have taken the initiative to protect drivers and pedestrians from unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses that are normally incurred by drivers and pedestrians who are injured by drivers that are uninsured and do not carry the required car insurance.
