When Can I Use Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

 Posted on August 30, 2021 in Personal Injury

When a person is injured in a car accident, filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party is often the best way to recover financial compensation for medical expenses and other damages. Most Illinois drivers have liability coverage included in their car insurance policy, which can provide substantial compensation to injury victims when the driver is responsible for an accident.

Unfortunately, however, it is not always possible to recover compensation through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. When this is the case, injury victims may instead need to seek financial relief through uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

Do I Have Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

In order to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim, you first must determine whether you have an insurance policy that provides you with this coverage. If you have a car insurance policy for your own vehicle, there is a good chance that you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for bodily injury, as this coverage is automatically included in policies issued in Illinois. If you do not have a policy of your own, you still may be covered under a policy held by your spouse, parent, or another member of your household.

When to Use Uninsured Motorist Coverage

It may be necessary to file an uninsured motorist claim if you are injured in an accident with a driver who lacks liability insurance. Though liability coverage is required by law for all drivers in Illinois, recent estimates indicate that almost 12 percent of Illinois drivers are uninsured. These drivers typically lack the resources to cover an injury victim’s damages out of pocket, so uninsured motorist coverage is often the primary source of compensation in these cases.

Uninsured motorist coverage is also an option if you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident. You may be unable to identify and locate the driver to determine whether he or she has liability insurance, let alone to file a claim against the driver. As such, working with your own insurance provider is often your best bet.

When to Use Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Underinsured motorist coverage can help you when the at-fault driver has liability insurance, but the coverage limits are less than the total amount of the damages you are entitled to. This may be the case if the driver only has the minimum required coverage and your injuries are severe, or if the driver is liable for injuries to multiple people. Uninsured motorist coverage provides additional financial compensation beyond what you may be able to recover from the negligent driver.

Contact a Lombard Car Accident Lawyer

At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we know that a car accident with an uninsured driver can be stressful. Our DuPage County personal injury attorneys can help you navigate the process of filing a claim with your insurance provider and work to ensure that you get the relief you are entitled to. For a free initial consultation, contact our office today at 630-932-9100.