Review of uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage

Most people in Cullman County know that they have to have automobile insurance in order to drive a vehicle on Alabama’s roads legally.

However, many people choose simply not to follow this law, either because they cannot afford insurance are because they simply do not want to buy it.

Those who get hit by negligent motorists without insurance may be in a bind should they require compensation for medicals bills, lost wages and the like.

After all, the criminal justice system isn’t designed to obtain compensation for victims,  and the responsible driver may have no other means to pay compensation.

However, people with uninsured motorist coverage, or UM, can ask for compensation from their own insurance company if they are hurt by an uninsured motorist. This coverage also protects victims of hit-and-run accidents.

Underinsured motorist coverage can also be a lifesaver

There are other Alabama motorists who, while keeping enough insurance to follow the law, only carry the minimum amount. In the event of a serious or fatal accident, the minimum is usually not nearly enough to cover all of a victim’s losses.

In these situations, a victim must rely on underinsured motorist coverage, or UIM, for additional relief.

A victim with this type of coverage can go to their own insurance company and ask for it to make up the deficit between what they are owed and what the responsible party is willing to pay.  Whether and to what extent the insurance company will pay depends on the law and what the insurance policy says.

A victim with a UM or UIM claim may need professional legal help

Unfortunately, some insurance carriers are reluctant to pay UM and UIM claims that they owe, even if their policy says that they should. It may be necessary for a victim to get legal help with any insurance disputes that may arise.