Why it is Important to Carry UM/UIM to Protect Yourself
While South Carolina requires all motorists to carry auto insurance, not everyone follows the law. The estimated number of uninsured motorists in the state is 12.3%. This means that roughly one in eight drivers in South Carolina have little to no insurance.
If they cause a car accident that you are involved in, you could be out of luck. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from this possibility by investing in uninsured motorist (UM)/underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance.
Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist insurance is a type of auto insurance coverage that protects you if you’re involved in an accident caused by a driver who either has no insurance (uninsured) or not enough insurance (underinsured) to fully cover your damages. UM coverage pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and sometimes property damage if the at-fault driver does not carry liability insurance or leaves the scene. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has liability insurance, but their policy limits are not enough to cover your total losses. UIM helps bridge the gap between what their insurance pays and what you are actually owed.
UM and UIM coverage does cost a little more, but you can likely afford it. It can prevent tens of thousands of dollars in personal losses with just a modest premium increase, so it is definitely worth it. Here are some reasons why you need UM and UIM insurance to protect yourself.
Protection Against Uninsured Drivers
As mentioned above, many drivers don’t carry insurance. If you’re hit by one of them, UM coverage will step in to cover medical expenses, lost income, and other costs that result from the crash, so you will not have to pay them out of pocket.
Coverage for Hit-and-Run Accidents
If you are involved in an accident in which the driver flees the scene and cannot be identified (hit-and-run accident), UM coverage will cover your damage, injuries, and other expenses.
Pays for Many Expenses
In addition to medical treatment, UM can cover rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Fills Gaps in Health Insurance
Even if you have health insurance, UM coverage can help with deductibles, copays, or services not fully covered, such as chiropractic care or long-term physical therapy.
Coverage in Non-Driving Situations
Many policies extend UM protection to non-driving situations, such as when you are a pedestrian or cyclist. If you are walking or biking and are hit by an uninsured motorist, your auto insurance’s UM coverage may still apply. If you are a passenger in a vehicle when an accident occurs, you may be covered under the driver’s insurance as well.
Contact Us Today
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage costs a little more money, but it is worth it for peace of mind. Make sure you have the auto insurance coverage you need today.
Have questions about auto insurance? A Charleston car accident attorney from Wyndham Law Firm, LLC can give you the advice you need. We are fully committed to ensuring that we secure all the damages you are entitled to receive under the law. To schedule a consultation, contact us via (843) 279-5312 or online here.