Today we will discuss uninsured motorist coverage in the state of Florida and you should have it and if you don’t have it, you should be on the phone with your car insurance carrier adding it now. Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage is insurance that you as a Florida driver can opt to carry on your own policy. Typically, in an accident, an injured driver would seek compensation and insurance benefits from the at-fault party in the collision. These benefits would be paid out from the at-fault’s Bodily Injury Coverage under the at-fault’s insurance policy. But what happens if that driver does not have high enough policy limits to support significant treatment and potential surgery costs? What if the at-fault driver has no insurance coverage at all?
According to reports, approximately 25% of Florida drivers do not carry insurance. That is about 1 out of every 4 vehicles on the road are riding without a way to take care of drivers that get injured in an accident. This is almost double the national average. How do you protect your self against these dangerously high odds? By purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can insulate yourself from the uncertainty of coverage after an accident. If injured and it was discovered that the at-fault had no coverage, you would merely submit a claim to your own insurance company and they would evaluate the injuries and treatment and disburse benefits. Drivers are often mistaken that the bodily injury coverage they purchase is to protect them when in fact, it is for other drivers they may come in contact with. You have to voluntarily ask for uninsured coverage.
Your uninsured coverage must match your bodily injury coverage in whatever increment you are able to obtain. It is recommended that you get the highest limits you can afford for your peace of mind.
You should contact our office for a free evaluation of your automobile accident and whether you have a viable claim for benefits. It is important to consult with an attorney because carriers receive numerous injury claims a day and they prioritize claims where the victim is represented.
You can achieve better results if you are patient and allow your attorneys to work on your behalf. If you have any additional questions or if you have been involved in an automobile accident in central Florida, you can call our office 24 hours a day at 407-478-4878.
Jabari Bennett, ESQ.
