If you are a victim of an auto accident in Florida, chances are one in four that you have been struck by an uninsured motorist. Unfortunately, Florida does not require all motorists to carry Bodily Injury (BI) coverage. This means that without the BI coverage that would normally pay for your injuries, you are out of luck when it comes to paying any medical bills above the basic level covered by your own PIP (Personal Injury Protection) benefits. When you are injured by an uninsured motorist the only way to make a financial recovery for pain and suffering is to look to your own Underinsured Motorist (UM) coverage.
UM coverage is an option that you can add to your own policy. Uninsured motorist coverage stands in place of the uninsured driver’s bodily injury coverage, and pays you a lump sum settlement for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering when you are not at fault and injured in an accident.
Review your policy today! If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage call your insurance carrier or agent to add this important coverage. While adding the highest coverage amount possible is ideal, even adding $10,000.00 per person, $20,000.00 per accident can go a long way when you have been hit by an Uninsured Motorist. If you have more than one vehicle in your household, put all your autos on one policy and request Stacked Uninsured Motorist coverage.
Stacked coverage allows you to “stack” or apply the coverage from all cars to your claim. If you have three cars insured with $10,000.00 per person, $20,000.00 per accident, you get all three Uninsured Motorist limits, or in this example, $30,000.00 per person, $60,000.00 per accident. This is an inexpensive way to maximize your coverage.
Nothing is more difficult than giving a client the heartbreaking news that there is no coverage for the devastating accident that has just turned their life upside down. Protect yourself by reviewing your policy and adding Uninsured Motorist Coverage to your policy today.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident in the Clearwater Area, call 727-501-3464 for a free consultation or learn more about Attorney Chelsie Lamie by visiting www.chelsielamie.com.