Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage is Necessary
You are required to have auto insurance in almost all states. Tennessee mandates the following for drivers:
- $25,000 for each injury or death per accident.
- $50,000 for total injuries or deaths per accident.
- $25,000 for property damage per accident.
While insurance is costly, you probably want to add an additional coverage: uninsured motorist insurance. In Tennessee, approximately 23.7% of drivers are estimated to be uninsured. This means that roughly one in four drivers on the road in Tennessee do not have the required car insurance.
Uninsured motorist coverage helps protect you financially if you’re in an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance or too little insurance to cover your losses. This type of coverage can apply to both injuries and property damage.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury can help pay medical expenses for you and your passengers if the at-fault driver has no insurance. Uninsured motorist property damage may cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle when an uninsured driver causes the crash.
Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage is Necessary in Texas
Uninsured motorist coverage is one of the most important protections Texas drivers can carry. Although Texas law requires all motorists to maintain liability insurance, many drivers either ignore this requirement or purchase only the state minimums, which often prove inadequate in a serious crash. According to state data, thousands of drivers on Texas roads remain uninsured at any given time.
If you are hit by one of these drivers, you could be left paying for your own medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. UM coverage helps in these situations by stepping in to cover your losses when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Similarly, UIM coverage applies when the other driver has insurance, but not enough to cover the full extent of your damages. An example would be when medical costs far exceed the $30,000 per person liability minimum required under Texas law.
Another critical benefit is that UM coverage can also apply to hit-and-run accidents, as long as the crash is reported promptly to law enforcement. Without this coverage, victims of a hit-and-run may have no financial recourse.
Because accidents often result in expenses that go well beyond basic repair bills — such as long-term medical care or income loss — UM/UIM coverage can be the difference between financial recovery and overwhelming debt. In short, this coverage protects you, your family, and your financial stability in a state where not every driver follows the law or carries adequate insurance.
Contact Us Today
Tennessee and many other states have a lot of uninsured drivers. By having the right types of insurance, you can protect yourself in the event of a crash.
An accident with an uninsured motorist can leave you feeling uncertain about your options, but you don’t have to navigate the process alone. A Mt. Juliet uninsured motorist lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC is here to guide you. We can help you recover compensation for the damages you suffered. To schedule a consultation, call (615) 622-6060 or fill out the online form.
Source:
progressive.com/answers/uninsured-motorist-insurance/
