Protect Yourself from Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
Most people do not have the funds to pay for any damages they might cause resulting from a car accident that is their fault. That is why responsible people carry liability insurance. Furthermore, Minnesota state law requires drivers to carry liability insurance. However, if an uninsured driver causes an accident, they most likely will not have enough money to cover the costs resulting from their negligence. How can you sue someone who has little if any personal assets? Unfortunately, the answer is that you have to protect yourself from people who fail to purchase car insurance by adding sufficient uninsured motorist coverage to your insurance policy.
Statistics About Uninsured Motorists
About 10% of Minnesota drivers are uninsured. That means when you're driving on any given street or highway, one out of ten cars around you is being driven by someone with no insurance. Nationwide statistics give more insight into the type of person who drives without insurance:
• Sixty-two percent of uninsured motorists are male.
• Twenty-two percent of uninsured motorists are 18 – 24 years old.
• Forty-five percent of uninsured motorists have a high-school education or less.
In other words, statistically speaking, the type of person who drives an uninsured vehicle is also the type of person who is most likely to cause an accident, which is why it is so important to protect yourself from uninsured motorists.
Uninsured Motorist Benefits
Minnesota law requires all automobile insurance policies to include coverage against uninsured motorists. If you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist, the uninsured motorist actually benefits due to the fact your automobile insurance should cover the expenses that you incur as a result of the accident. However, the amount of money you are eligible to receive depends on the wording in your insurance plan. It is a good idea to review your plan to see if your uninsured motorist benefits pays enough to cover your needs should you need it.
Underinsured Motorist Benefits
Some people purchase automobile insurance, but only the minimum amount necessary to drive legally. If someone with minimum coverage causes an accident, most likely the insurance benefits they have will not be enough to pay for the damages they may cause. Underinsured motorist benefits are designed for cases like these. For example, if you are hurt from a car crash, and your resultant medical bills exceed the liability coverage provided in the driver's policy, your underinsured motorist benefit is supposed to make up the difference.
How Much Uninsured Motorist Insurance do You Need?
At this point the question is how do you protect yourself from uninsured and underinsured motorists? The answer is different for everyone, because it depends on how much you can afford, the cost to replace your car, and how much coverage may be needed or available for medical expenses. Talk with your insurance agent or financial planner to determine if your policy provides adequate coverage for your potential needs.
When to Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Just because you carry uninsured motorist insurance does not mean that you can count on your policy to pay you as much as you need. It is a sad fact that many insurance companies will pay as little as they can possibly get away with. That is why you should contact a Minnesota personal injury attorney before you settle with your insurance company to ensure you are receiving the correct and fair compensation entitled to you.
Statistics About Uninsured Motorists
About 10% of Minnesota drivers are uninsured. That means when you're driving on any given street or highway, one out of ten cars around you is being driven by someone with no insurance. Nationwide statistics give more insight into the type of person who drives without insurance:
• Sixty-two percent of uninsured motorists are male.
• Twenty-two percent of uninsured motorists are 18 – 24 years old.
• Forty-five percent of uninsured motorists have a high-school education or less.
In other words, statistically speaking, the type of person who drives an uninsured vehicle is also the type of person who is most likely to cause an accident, which is why it is so important to protect yourself from uninsured motorists.
Uninsured Motorist Benefits
Minnesota law requires all automobile insurance policies to include coverage against uninsured motorists. If you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist, the uninsured motorist actually benefits due to the fact your automobile insurance should cover the expenses that you incur as a result of the accident. However, the amount of money you are eligible to receive depends on the wording in your insurance plan. It is a good idea to review your plan to see if your uninsured motorist benefits pays enough to cover your needs should you need it.
Underinsured Motorist Benefits
Some people purchase automobile insurance, but only the minimum amount necessary to drive legally. If someone with minimum coverage causes an accident, most likely the insurance benefits they have will not be enough to pay for the damages they may cause. Underinsured motorist benefits are designed for cases like these. For example, if you are hurt from a car crash, and your resultant medical bills exceed the liability coverage provided in the driver's policy, your underinsured motorist benefit is supposed to make up the difference.
How Much Uninsured Motorist Insurance do You Need?
At this point the question is how do you protect yourself from uninsured and underinsured motorists? The answer is different for everyone, because it depends on how much you can afford, the cost to replace your car, and how much coverage may be needed or available for medical expenses. Talk with your insurance agent or financial planner to determine if your policy provides adequate coverage for your potential needs.
When to Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Just because you carry uninsured motorist insurance does not mean that you can count on your policy to pay you as much as you need. It is a sad fact that many insurance companies will pay as little as they can possibly get away with. That is why you should contact a Minnesota personal injury attorney before you settle with your insurance company to ensure you are receiving the correct and fair compensation entitled to you.
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