What is the importance of UM-UIM in your car insurance if you live in Southern California? We are often contacted with questions about property damage and injuries received in hit and run accidents or in cases when the driver who caused the car accident had little or no insurance.
All Californians should have Uninsured Motorist (UM) and UnderInsured Motorist coverage under your automobile insurance policy (often listed under UM/UIM) which would cover you and others in your car if you are injured in a hit and run accident or by a driver with California state minimum coverage or no insurance whatsoever. Without the optional UIM coverage under your policy, it is highly likely that you will not be able to fully recover for your medical bills and other expenses associated with injuries in a car accident. This includes, but is not limited to:
- medical bills
- physical therapy
- lost wages from missing work during recovery
- modifications required for your home or car to accommodate your injuries
- just compensation for being forced to endure the pain and suffering associated with your injuries
California law establishes one of the lowest requirements for minimum automobile insurance coverage in the United States.
The importance of UM-UIM in your car insurance continues to increase along with the value of most cars and trucks on the road here in Southern California as well as the expense of medical treatment for broken bones and even soft tissue injuries (let alone serious injuries). UM/UIM can provide important financial protection and coverage in hit and run cases, as well as situations involving drivers with the state minimum insurance coverage or no insurance whatsoever. It is very important to purchase the highest amount of Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) as well as UnderInsured Motorist (UIM) available under your automobile insurance policy.
My name is Rivers Morrell and after more than 40 years of experience in Southern California accident and personal injury cases I highly recommend that you contact your insurance agent to discuss maximizing the amount of UM/UIM coverage on your auto insurance policy today. The genuine importance and value of UM/UIM insurance cannot be overstated and it is some of the least expensive and most valuable insurance you will ever purchase.
