Importance of Uninsured (Underinsured) Motorist Coverage
September 7, 2011 By McGee, Lerer & Associates
Call the Attorney at (800) 999-9948 
Free Consultation
Call the Attorney at (800) 999-9948 Free Consultation
Our most important piece of advice for every driver on the road in Southern California: make sure you have uninsured motorist coverage, and plenty of it.
We have seen the devastating consequences when a car accident victim either does not have uninsured motorist coverage, or does not have enough uninsured motorist coverage.
What Is Uninsured (Underinsured) Motorist Coverage?
Let’s say you’re injured in a car accident that was another driver’s fault. If that driver had no auto insurance, you are likely out of luck if you attempt to pursue an injury claim against him or her. 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.
But if you had uninsured motorist coverage, your auto insurance carrier will act as if they insure the at-fault driver. With uninsured motorist coverage, you can make a claim under your own policy for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
Your underinsured motorist coverage will kick in and pay you for your losses if the at-fault driver had liability coverage, but not enough coverage.
Your uninsured (underinsured) motorist coverage will also cover you if you get hit by an uninsured vehicle while you are a pedestrian, or on a bicycle or scooter.
Making a claim under your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will not cause your insurance premiums to go up.
Why It’s Critical to Have Plenty of Uninsured (Underinsured) Motorist Coverage
It’s critical that you have uninsured (underinsured) motorist coverage. Why? Because a huge percentage of drivers in Southern California have no automobile liability insurance, despite the fact that California requires that every driver carry it. There are more uninsured drivers on the road than ever before.
How Much Uninsured (Underinsured) Motorist Coverage Should You Have?
Pull out your auto insurance policy or call your agent to see if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and what your policy limit is. If your insurance agent tells you that you have “full coverage,” that does not mean you have uninsured motorist coverage.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of $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 approximately 10% of your premium.
Also check your parents’ policy, your sibling’s policy, your child’s policy - the policy of any driver you care about. Make sure there is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and make sure there is enough coverage.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: McGee, Lerer & Associates
McGee, Lerer & Associates is a personal injury law firm located in Long Beach, California. The lawyers at the firm are a husband and wife team with 35 years combined experience representing personal injury victims. With their combined experience, you can rest easy knowing that your case will be handled by professionals who have a successful proven track record helping personal injury victims. Personal injury victims should not have to shoulder the cost of medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost income incurred due to someone else’s negligence or disregard.
Copyright McGee, Lerer & Associates
More information about McGee, Lerer & Associates
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
What Is Uninsured (Underinsured) Motorist Coverage?
Let’s say you’re injured in a car accident that was another driver’s fault. If that driver had no auto insurance, you are likely out of luck if you attempt to pursue an injury claim against him or her. 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.
But if you had uninsured motorist coverage, your auto insurance carrier will act as if they insure the at-fault driver. With uninsured motorist coverage, you can make a claim under your own policy for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
Your underinsured motorist coverage will kick in and pay you for your losses if the at-fault driver had liability coverage, but not enough coverage.
Your uninsured (underinsured) motorist coverage will also cover you if you get hit by an uninsured vehicle while you are a pedestrian, or on a bicycle or scooter.
Making a claim under your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will not cause your insurance premiums to go up.
Why It’s Critical to Have Plenty of Uninsured (Underinsured) Motorist Coverage
It’s critical that you have uninsured (underinsured) motorist coverage. Why? Because a huge percentage of drivers in Southern California have no automobile liability insurance, despite the fact that California requires that every driver carry it. There are more uninsured drivers on the road than ever before.
How Much Uninsured (Underinsured) Motorist Coverage Should You Have?
Pull out your auto insurance policy or call your agent to see if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and what your policy limit is. If your insurance agent tells you that you have “full coverage,” that does not mean you have uninsured motorist coverage.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of $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 approximately 10% of your premium.
Also check your parents’ policy, your sibling’s policy, your child’s policy - the policy of any driver you care about. Make sure there is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and make sure there is enough coverage.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: McGee, Lerer & Associates
McGee, Lerer & Associates is a personal injury law firm located in Long Beach, California. The lawyers at the firm are a husband and wife team with 35 years combined experience representing personal injury victims. With their combined experience, you can rest easy knowing that your case will be handled by professionals who have a successful proven track record helping personal injury victims. Personal injury victims should not have to shoulder the cost of medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost income incurred due to someone else’s negligence or disregard.
Copyright McGee, Lerer & Associates
More information about McGee, Lerer & Associates
View all articles published by McGee, Lerer & Associates
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
