What Is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
If you’re in an accident with a driver that doesn’t have enough insurance, underinsured motorist coverages can help pay for your:
- Medical bills
- Repairs to your car
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
This
car insurance can also help pay for medical treatment for the passengers in your vehicle and cover you if you’re injured as a pedestrian. But if you’re in an accident with a driver that has no insurance, you’ll need
uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage to help pay your medical fees. You can also add on
uninsured motorist property damage coverage to help pay for damages to your car. Without these policies, you’d have to pay your medical expenses and repair costs out-of-pocket.
How Does Underinsured Motorist Coverage Work?
If you have this coverage and get into an accident with an underinsured driver, you’ll want to file a claim with your underinsured motorist policy. This insurance will then help pay the costs of your medical bills. If you have a damaged car from this accident, your policy can also help pay for repairs.
The Differences Between Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Your underinsured motorist coverage helps pay medical bills and property damage costs if you’re hit by a driver without enough insurance. And your
uninsured motorist property damage and bodily injury coverage helps pay for these costs if you’re hit by an uninsured driver.
What Is an Underinsured Motorist Claim?
So how do underinsured motorist claims work? Filing a claim for underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage works in a similar way to other car insurance claims. The difference is that you’re filing it with your own insurance company instead of with the other driver’s company.
To file an underinsured motorist claim, follow these steps:
- Make the claim with your insurance company within 30 days of the accident. Some policies have strict deadlines, so you’ll want to report it as soon as possible.
- Give your insurance company your medical records. You’ll need to show them official documentation of how much your injuries cost after an accident. If you have car repairs, you’ll also need to show them how much those cost.
- Your insurance company will then process the claim and come to a settlement figure with you.
Reasons to File an Underinsured Motorist Claim
Car accidents are all different. You’ll want to file a claim for underinsured motorist insurance if your injury costs exceed the other driver’s
bodily injury liability insurance limits.
How Long Does an Underinsured Motorist Claim Take?
Every underinsured motorist claim is unique and takes a different amount of time to be evaluated. Generally, these take a little longer than regular car insurance claims. Some factors that’ll impact the time it takes include:
- How long your treatment or repairs take: Your insurance company will need to see the final cost of your injuries or repairs. They then use this to begin creating a settlement.
- The severity of your injuries or repairs: The length of your treatment or the amount of time it takes to assess the car damage can delay an insurance company’s settlement.
- Settlement disagreements: If you don’t agree with the amount your insurance company offers, you’ll need to bring your case to court. To give you more piece of mind, consider contacting a lawyer during this time to help you negotiate with your insurance company.
Common Questions About Underinsured Motorist Insurance (UIM)
Is Underinsured Motorist Coverage Necessary?
State car insurance requirements vary. However, if you don’t already have
collision insurance or underinsured motorist coverage, you may want it. For instance, these coverages can help replace your car if it’s damaged in an accident. Underinsured motorist coverage can also help pay your medical bills if you’re injured in an accident with a driver that doesn’t have enough coverage.
To learn more about this coverage through the AARP
® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford,
1 you can call
888-413-8970. The Hartford's representatives will help answer any questions you have about your state’s requirements.
How Does Underinsured Motorist Coverage Work?
When you buy underinsured motorist insurance, you’ll need to choose a coverage limit. In many cases, you’ll want this coverage’s amount to match your bodily injury liability limits. So, if your bodily injury liability coverage limit is $200,000, then you’ll want at least that for your underinsured motorist coverage.
What Does Underinsured Motorist Coverage Pay For?
This coverage helps pay for your medical expenses if a driver hits you that doesn’t have enough insurance. This includes a range of accidents that involve:
- A hit-and-run
- Someone rear-ending you
- Head-on collisions
- A driver backing up into you
- Getting sideswiped by another car
Last Updated: September 21, 2023
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