What is the purpose of uninsured motorist insurance?

Motor vehicle insurance is an important responsibility that an individual must take on when they buy a car. It can protect them from the financial costs of recovering from collisions. Costs associated with motor vehicle accidents can be high and can include, but are not limited to, medical bills, property damage, and other expenses.

In Pennsylvania, motor vehicle insurance policies must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in them or as supplemental policies. Not all individuals understand the importance of uninsured and underinsured coverage and may choose to opt out of such coverage. Opting out can leave an individual without insurance recovery options if their accident involved someone without insurance coverage.

What is an uninsured or underinsured motorist?

An uninsured motorist is someone who does not have motor vehicle insurance. Hit-and-run drivers can also be considered uninsured motorists if victims do not know their identities and cannot track them down to pursue coverage for their losses. Underinsured motorists are individuals who have motor vehicle insurance but whose insurance is insufficient to cover a victim’s accident-related losses.

Why victims should have uninsured and underinsured coverage

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage provides drivers and others with options for seeking the recovery of their losses from their own insurance providers. When a negligent party causes an accident but does not have the insurance means to cover the damages they inflict, victims can be left without avenues to compensation. Their uninsured and underinsured policies can be utilized to help them recover.

Seeking the recovery of one’s losses through an uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance policy can take time and can be difficult. When dealing with form of accident situation, victims can seek help from trusted motor vehicle accident lawyers in their communities.