Check your auto insurance policy to see if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and what your policy limit is. The downturn in the economy, and the record unemployment rates, mean there are more uninsured drivers on the road than ever.
At our Los Angeles personal injury law firm, we have seen devastating consequences when an injured auto accident victim either doesn't have the coverage, or doesn't have enough coverage.
WHAT IS UNINSURED/UNDERINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE?
Let's say you are injured in an auto accident that was the other driver's fault. The other driver had no auto insurance. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance company will act as if they insure the other driver and will pay you for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Similarly, your underinsured motorist coverage will kick in and pay you if the other driver had auto insurance, but not enough to cover your losses.
Despite the fact that California requires that every driver carry liability insurance, over 40% of drivers in Los Angeles County are uninsured. If you get hit by an uninsured driver, and you don't have uninsured motorist coverage, your only recourse is to go after the at-fault driver personally. But it's likely that a driver who has no insurance has no assets. That means there's no one to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If your insurance agent tells you that you have "full coverage," that does not mean you have uninsured motorist coverage.
HOW MUCH UNINSURED/UNDERINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE SHOULD YOU HAVE?
$15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident is NOT enough. We recommend at least $100,000 per person/ $300,000 per accident. Even better: $250,000/$500,000. The cost represents only about 10% of your premium.
Please check your auto insurance policy, your parents' policy, your son and daughter's policies, the policy of anyone you care about. Make sure there is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and make sure there is enough coverage. If you're not sure how to read your policy, call our Los Angeles injury law firm and we can tell you how much coverage you have. (800) 999-9948. We give free consultations and free second opinions.