How to Protect Yourself from Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists

Posted on January 4, 2020

Being involved in an auto accident with an Underinsured or entirely Uninsured driver can add even more concern, confusion, and cost to the incident.  Fortunately, there are two amazing coverages to help protect yourself in these situations, Underinsured Motorist Coverage and Uninsured Motorist Coverage.  These coverages are often overlooked and underappreciated yet bring tremendous value.

UNDERINSURED MOTORIST INSURANCE 

When you have an accident where the other at-fault driver can be identified, Underinsured Motorist (UIM) insurance coverage on your policy can cover medical costs, lost wages, pain & suffering and other losses.

UIM covers not only you, the policyholder in the event of an accident, but your passengers who don’t have a policy of their own, including:

• Household members
• Guest drivers
• Passengers

There are some unique restrictions on coverage if you have a second auto policy or a household member, guest driver, or passenger has their own policy.  The intent is for their own insurance to cover them on this particular coverage. For you and household members there is also coverage if you are injured as a pedestrian.

UNINSURED MOTORIST INSURANCE 

Despite a requirement to have compulsory insurance in Massachusetts, many negligent drivers fail to obtain any coverage to protect themselves and others on the road. To counter the damage of such recklessness, you can obtain Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage.

Covering the same people as UIM, UM coverage provides protection to victims when the at-fault driver carries no bodily injury coverage. UM coverage compensates those covered for the costs of medical expenses as well as lost wages and other losses.

There can also be coverage under UM if there are injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident where the at-fault driver and owner cannot be identified.

PROTECT YOURSELF WITH ARONSON 

There are a few additional restrictions to Underinsured Motorist and Uninsured Motorist coverage.  In order to get a full view of the coverages and restrictions, a detailed review of the policy language is required. Most policies can cover you for $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident for a relatively low premium on your auto insurance policy.  Further protection may also be available on your umbrella or excess liability policy.

If you’d like to understand this more or if you are concerned your current auto insurance coverage doesn’t provide enough protection, don’t wait any longer to rethink your policy — or your agency. As a choice insurance partner in Massachusetts, Aronson Insurance has helped countless residents secure the right underinsured and uninsured motorist insurance policies to stay protected even when other drivers aren’t covered.

To schedule a consultation, call us today at 781-444-3050.