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.
