An uninsured motorist is not necessarily a dangerous driver. However, like all drivers, they can cause an accident to occur. The problem is, they won’t be able to compensate you for your losses, to which you might have a right because the accident was their fault. There is no way to know who does not
have coverage. And, that can cost you in the long run. Here is some help, so you can ensure you have more protection under your auto insurance.
Insure Yourself from Their Risks
A good place to start is by obtaining uninsured motorist and under-insured motorist coverage. These are auto insurance policies you purchase and maintain. Most of the time, these are a recommendation by your car insurance provider. The insurance offers protection for you should the at-fault driver not have enough insurance to protect you.
Here is an example of what may occur in this situation. Let’s say you are driving, and another car pulls out and hits your vehicle. The police officer on the scene rules the other driver is at fault. You exchange insurance information and go your own way. When you file a claim with the insurance company of the other driver, they inform you that the driver does not have an active policy. The policy, actually, had expired. Therefore, they have no coverage to assist you.
What can you do?
In this situation, you call your own car insurance company. If you have uninsured motorist coverage in place, your policy goes to work for you.
It can help to pay for the damages you suffered as a result of the other driver’s actions. This way, you have protection, and your car gets the necessary repairs. Keep in mind that you can only claim up to the limits of your policy.
Your insurer may or may not elect to raise your policy rates. Some do, because you made a claim on your own policy. However, since the accident was not your fault and you had no alternative, the insurer might not increase your rates.
The insurance company may elect to pursue legal action against the other driver. If you find that your losses are more than what your auto insurance will pay, you can often file a lawsuit against the other driver. You may not really be able to claim anything if that party doesn’t have any assets. Yet, in some tragic incidents, this is worth pursuing with the help of your attorney.
There is no way to know if the other driver on the road with you has proper auto insurance. The only thing you can do then, is to protect yourself through your own policy. Make sure you have the proper coverage in place to minimize risks in cases like this.
Are you covered? Contact your local insurance agent today or CALL US at 423-870-3545 or visit request a quote here.