Why Should I Get Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

 Posted on January 10, 2025 in Car Accidents

As of January 1, 2025, new minimum liability auto insurance coverage limits went into effect. While you are ensuring your policy meets those limits, you may want to review the rest of your coverage. Although California law does not require you to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, not having it could be a costly mistake if you are involved in a car accident.

Why would you need UI/UIM coverage? Do you need a lawyer after a UI/UIM car crash? An experienced South Bay Area, CA personal injury lawyer can help you get as much compensation as you deserve.

What Is UI/UIM Auto Insurance?

California requires all drivers to have at least minimum liability insurance for their vehicles. The new limits are $30,000 per person injury or death, $60,000 per accident injury or death, and $15,000 property damage per accident. However, it is estimated that 17 percent of drivers in California do not have car insurance. Many more drivers only have enough coverage to meet the legal minimums.

You can purchase optional UI/UIM coverage that should pay your eligible damages up to your limits if an uninsured or underinsured driver causes a collision that injures you. Having this coverage is smart because:

• The minimum limits are probably not enough to cover your expenses and intangible losses.

• If someone has no or minimal auto insurance, they are unlikely to have the funds to compensate you.

• If you are injured by a hit-and-run driver who remains unidentified, your UI/UIM coverage should pay your damages.

Suppose you are injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver named Joe, and you do not have UI/UIM. If Joe does not have auto insurance, you could try to recover your damages from Joe. However, there is no guarantee that Joe will be able to pay your damages out-of-pocket.

If Joe only has the minimum limits, your damages may exceed them. If Joe cannot cover the balance, you may be left to pay most of your accident-related expenses.

If you did have UI/UIM, your insurer should pay the balance of what Joe or his insurance company does not pay, as long as the totals do not go over your policy limits. Although you would be dealing with your own insurance company, working with a skilled uninsured/underinsured motorist attorney is still recommended.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer for a UI/UIM Claim?

No matter whose policy your claim is against, the insurer will probably try to minimize or eliminate your payout. Unless you have an effective lawyer protecting your best interests, they could succeed. Your attorney will investigate your crash, gathering the evidence we need to support your claim. We will carefully assess your eligible damages and then fight to help you collect the full amount. We are not intimidated by insurance companies and will not let them take advantage of you.

Discuss Your Case With a Knowledgeable San Jose, CA Car Accident Lawyer

At Law Office of John J. Garvey, III, we have 45+ years of experience winning car accident cases, and we will not charge legal fees unless we win monetary compensation for you. Call 408-293-7777 or contact us online today to schedule your free case review with our dedicated Santa Clara County, CA personal injury attorney.