Many Victims Pay the Price for Lack of Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Chrissie Cole

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The Insurance Research Council reports that approximately one in seven at-fault drivers involved in a collision with another vehicle are uninsured even though it is against the law in most states to have no auto insurance.

According to Carrie A. Hurt, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Central and South Central Texas, what happens to the insured victim after this type of accident can be upsetting and expensive. Instead of the at-fault driver's auto insurance policy covering the victim's costs for medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and a replacement rental car, it ends up being the victim's responsibility to pay for everything.

To avoid this from happening, many drivers include uninsured motorist coverage on their auto insurance policy. Uninsured motorist coverage will pay for damages and injuries caused by the uninsured driver responsible for the accident or hit-and-run.

Second on the list are underinsured drivers. These types of drivers are those who have only the minimum state-required insurance limits of liability on their policy, which may not allow enough coverage to compensate others involved in an accident.

It is vitally important to make sure drivers have sufficient coverage, including some options worth considering that would allow for additional financial protection including: Collision coverage, Replacement rental-car coverage and Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage