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Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
What is uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage? Most people that call our office don't know if they have these coverages or not. Not having the coverage, however, can be costly if you are involved in an automobile accident involving major injuries or death. That’s because many drivers do not have valid liability insurance even though by law they are supposed to be insured. However, even when the other driver does have insurance, the victim’s medical expenses and lost earnings often exceed the $30,000 minimum liability insurance that North Carolina drivers are required to have. In North Carolina, insurance agents are required to offer both UM and UIM to people buying auto insurance. Yet many times, people who thought they had “full coverage” are surprised to learn they signed a form declining UM and UIM coverage. North Carolina law requires that people sign a form in order to reject UM or UIM coverage. The North Carolina Department of Insurance recommends that consumers make sure their agent explains all parts of their automobile policy. UM coverage pays if you are injured by a hit-and-run vehicle or a motorist who does not have liability insurance. According to the Department of Insurance, about 5% of North Carolina drivers do not have valid insurance. A person can purchase UM, regardless of the liability coverage they choose. UIM coverage, available in amounts up to $1 million, provides additional bodily injury coverage to drivers and passengers in their cars for accidents in which the at-fault driver has some insurance, but not enough to fully compensate for the injury.
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