Uninsured Motorist Claims
According to the Insurance Research Council, one in seven drivers in the United States is uninsured (and many more are underinsured). Uninsured motorist (UM) insurance compensates you for injuries and damages when the at-fault other side has no insurance at all. UM coverage protects an person injured in an accident with an uninsured motorist.
Underinsured Motorist Claims
Similarly underinsured (UIM) benefits protects against accidents caused by underinsured motorists. UIM insurance covers the difference when the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage isn’t enough to cover your damages. For example, if your damages from accident equal $150,000 but the at-fault driver has only $50,000 in insurance coverage, then you could make a claim for the $100,000 difference against your UIM coverage.
If you’re not sure what your UM/UIM coverage is, call your insurance company and request a copy of your policy. In this day and age, with the escalating costs of medical care, one should consider carrying at least $250,000.00 in UM/UIM coverage. Everyone should make sure that their policy has sufficient uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) benefits.
In order to preserve a UM/UIM claim, the policyholder (the insured injured person) has to comply the terms of the policy. Some people mistakenly believe that if they are hurt out-of-state then they have to comply with that other state’s laws as it relates to their UM/UIM claim. That is incorrect: If you have a policy written in Colorado, it does not matter in what state you where injured, you must comply with Colorado personal injury and insurance law. So for example, if a Colorado resident with UM/UIM coverage is hurt in an auto accident while visiting New York and the negligent party is uninsured or underinsured, the injured person must comply with Colorado law in order to make a UIM/UM claim. Keep in mind, every auto policy requires that the insured notify the insurance company of a potential claim. You should review your policy to ensure that you know how to fulfill your responsibilities to make a claim for UM/UIM benefits.
It is usually in the injured person’s best interest to take immediate legal action if the injuries are severe. Because of the high costs of medical care, an injured person may have to turn to their own automobile insurance policy to make a claim for “uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits.” If you’ve suffered serious injuries in an auto accident, contact Denver personal injury lawyer Gregory A. Hall to set up a free consultation to discuss your case:
Gregory A. Hall
Law Office of Gregory A. Hall
3570 E. 12 Avenue, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80206
Ph. 303-320-0584
Email: gregory@federallaw.com
Web: https://adenverlawyer.com
