Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Insurance That Protects You When Others Are Not Adequately Covered

In the state of Florida, many drivers do not carry bodily injury liability coverage and are considered uninsured drivers. Many more are underinsured drivers, or drivers that carry inadequate insurance coverage for injuries and damages they might cause. Recent studies have shown that as many as 25% of drivers in Florida, and perhaps more, are uninsured. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage (UM coverage) is one of the most important insurance protections for the safety and security of you and your family. It protects you when you suffer injuries as a result of an uninsured or underinsured driver, or when you suffer injuries in an automobile accident when the driver at fault cannot be identified, such as in a hit and run accident.

The purpose of UM coverage is to allow you the same coverage that would have been available had the negligent driver of an uninsured or underinsured vehicle had liability coverage in the amount of your UM coverage limits. In Florida, the law does not require drivers to carry bodily injury liability coverage. Those drivers who do not have this type of coverage do not have insurance that could pay for your personal injuries including compensable damages provided by law such as medical expenses, lost wages and other types of damages. The same is true for drivers who do not have any insurance or an inadequate level of insurance. You have the option to stack or multiply the amount of your UM coverage based upon the number of cars you own. You can do this by electing the "stacking" provision when you purchase this coverage with your automobile insurance carrier.

Not only is UM insurance beneficial when the covered person is the driver in a car accident, but it can be helpful in other situations as well. It can cover the insured person when he or she is the passenger in someone else's car, a passenger of the insured person's car, and another individual driving the insured person's car with his or her permission.

Where to Turn for Assistance with UM Coverage

UM coverage is a very important protection for your safety. When the situation merits it, it allows you to make a claim against your own insurance company for UM coverage for the injuries and damages you sustained. You can learn more about this kind of coverage by contacting your automobile insurance agent or contacting the Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, P.A. We would be happy to discuss with you the importance of UM coverage and how this could protect you in your time of need.