Although all drivers in Kentucky are required by law to have motor vehicle insurance, some don’t abide by that requirement. We’ve all heard the horror stories of a person being badly injured in an automobile accident by a person with minimal insurance coverage—or none at all. As a victim’s medical bills mount, the negligent party’s state minimum insurance policy is quickly exhausted, leaving the victim on the hook for the balance. To avoid this predicament, the car accident attorneys at Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey recommend our clients consider uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Protects You

Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is an addition to your policy that helps pay for medical bills and property damage associated with a car crash that would otherwise be left uncovered. That way, you have a financial contingency if you’re injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, but the other party either doesn’t have insurance or whose policy has liability limits too low to cover the cost of your damages. 

While the parameters of UM/UIM coverage depend on the policy’s wording, it typically covers bodily injury as well as passengers in the insured car at the time of the crash. 

The limits for UM/UIM coverage range from $25,000 to $1 million, so consider how much you may need when purchasing this addition. This decision is often based on factors such as:

  • Your car’s worth
  • The scope of your medical insurance
  • If your employer offers access to short-term and long-term disability 

A reliable local insurance agent should be able to outline the possibilities. 

Being Proactive Now May Help You Later

In Kentucky, drivers can opt out of adding UM/UIM coverage to their policies by stating so in writing, but that’s not recommended. This coverage addition helps pay for the vast amount of bills associated with a car accident. It could cover immediate medical assistance for accident injuries, critical follow-up care, specialized treatments, lost time and wages, and other factors essential to your recovery.

However, your policy’s uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage might still be insufficient for personal injuries in more catastrophic cases. If you or a loved one experienced a car accident with an at-fault driver, consult a qualified legal team to help.