Limit Damage from Uninsured Motorists
Posted on: 29 January 2016
When you drive on the nation's roads, you are always taking a risk, despite the improvement in automobile safety features. One hidden hazard that you face is the uninsured or underinsured motorist. You need to take steps to protect yourself against the estimated 14% of drivers who do not carry the proper coverage.
Insurance
Uninsured motorist options vary by state, so you will need to consult with your insurance agent to find out what coverage you need to best protect yourself against the drivers who are violating insurance laws. Available policies may include ininsured motorist insurance, uninsured motorist property damage insurance, and underinsured motorist insurance. If you are involved in an accident with someone who has no coverage or not enough coverage, these policies can cover your medical bills, property damage, and lost income. You can also make claims for pain and suffering if they are appropriate to your situation.
Documentation
Experts will tell you to document everything if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist. Of course, this step is often more difficult than it sounds since these drivers are sometimes uncooperative. They have violated the law by not carrying the proper insurance and are unlikely to help you make a case against them. You need to call the police, no matter how small the incident, so you can have an official report made. If you are able, take pictures of the accident, making sure to get the license plate number of the other motorist. Obviously, you need to get the name, address, and phone number of the other driver as well as any witnesses if possible. The more information you can get, the better protected you will be.
Report to Your Insurer
Uninsured motorists are not evil. They usually are not carrying the proper insurance because they are in financial distress. After a collision with them, they may ask or even plead with you not to report the incident to the police or your insurer. Although you can certainly empathize with their situation, you need to report the accident. Otherwise, you could face a host of expenses and other problems later. Remember that many medical conditions do not manifest themselves immediately. You need to protect yourself against possible long-term consequences that come as a result of an accident.
Uninsured motorists are a constant problem on the road from which you need to protect yourself. Get the proper coverage and never leave an accident unreported. Also, contact your insurance agent to make sure you are carrying the right policies. You can never be totally safe, but you can lower your risk of negative consequences. Speak with a representative from an agency like Village Insurance to learn more about your options.
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