Uninsured Motorist Coverage and How it can Help You

Any responsible driver knows that every motorist is required to carry at least some form of auto insurance. However, you may be surprised to know that approximately 14 percent of American motorists do not have insurance. While it is against the law to drive without insurance, that doesn’t help you if you are hit by an uninsured driver. In that situation, you may not be able to receive enough compensation (if any in some cases) to pay for your property damage, let alone compensate you for your injuries, medical treatment, lost wages, etc.

Uninsured motorist coverage (UIM) provides a solution to this problem. UIM coverage is relatively inexpensive and should range between $900 and $1,250 annually. In the event you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, UIM is designed to cover your medical expenses and property damage depending on your policy. Without UIM, you could be faced with staggering expenses and damages that the responsible driver simply won’t be able to pay.

Even though your state may be strict on its insurance laws, that does not mean you are safe from uninsured drivers. The following information shows the percentage of uninsured motorists in each state (provided by the Insurance Information Institute).

Alabama — 19.6% Alaska — 13.2% Arizona — 10.6% Arkansas — 15.9% California — 14.7% Colorado — 16.2% Connecticut — 8.0% Delaware — 11.5% D.C. — 11.9% Florida — 23.8% Georgia — 11.7% Hawaii — 8.9% Idaho — 6.7% Illinois — 13.3% Indiana — 14.2% Iowa — 9.7% Kansas — 9.4% Kentucky — 15.8% Louisiana — 13.9% Maine — 4.7% Maryland — 12.2% Massachusetts — 3.9% Michigan — 21.0% Minnesota — 10.8% Mississippi — 22.9% Missouri — 13.5%

Montana — 14.1% Nebraska — 6.7% Nevada — 12.2% New Hampshire — 9.3% New Jersey — 10.3% New Mexico — 21.6% New York — 5.3% North Carolina — 9.1% North Dakota — 5.9% Ohio — 13.5 Oklahoma — 25.9% Oregon — 9.0% Pennsylvania — 6.5% Rhode Island — 17.0% South Carolina — 7.7% South Dakota — 7.8% Tennessee — 20.1 Texas — 13.3% Utah — 5.8% Vermont — 8.5% Virginia — 10.1% Washington 16.1% West Virginia 8.4% Wisconsin — 11.7% Wyoming — 8.7%

While this chart shows the percentage of uninsured motorists in each state, it does not represent underinsured motorists. Underinsured motorists have the minimum amount of insurance needed according to their state laws. If you are hit by an underinsured driver, it can still be very problematic because their coverage may not pay for all of your damages.

If you have been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to find out how much compensation you could receive.