What’s The Difference Between Uninsured And Underinsured Motorist Coverage In Rhode Island?
While uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM and UIM) are optional, they can make a big difference when seeking compensation after being in a car accident with a driver who does not have enough insurance or no insurance at all.
At Robert E. Craven & Associates, our Rhode Island uninsured driver accident attorneys handle these situations on an everyday basis. Unfortunately, not all motorists in Rhode Island carry auto insurance. This can cause potential problems to other drivers when auto accidents occur.
What is Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage in Rhode Island?
When purchasing a car insurance policy in Rhode Island, it includes uninsured motorist coverage by default. While you can opt out of the UM coverage, doing so is not recommended considering that over 16% of Rhode Island drivers are uninsured.
It is critical to have uninsured motorist coverage as part of your car insurance policy because it protects you in the event of a car crash with a driver who lacks auto insurance. In Rhode Island, UM coverage will pay for your medical bills and property damage.
What is Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage in Rhode Island?
When purchasing UM coverage for your auto insurance policy in Rhode Island, it will also include underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. While UIM coverage does not cover your losses when the other driver is uninsured, it pays for your medical expenses and property damages when the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover all of your losses.
The underinsured motorist coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage is lower than your UIM coverage limits.
So, What’s the Difference?
Basically, the biggest difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in Rhode Island is that:
- UM coverage protects you if you are in a car crash with an at-fault driver who has no insurance coverage; and
- UIM coverage protects you if you are in an auto accident with a motorist whose liability limits are insufficient to cover your damages and losses.
What UM and UIM Coverages Are Available in Rhode Island?
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is split into two types:
- Bodily injury. This type of coverage covers your medical expenses if you are injured in a car crash caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Rhode Island. When purchasing UM/UIM coverage, the minimum limits are $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident.
- Property damage. Unlike most other states, Rhode Island offers UM/UIM coverage to pay for damages to the policyholder’s property. This type of insurance covers the cost of repairs or total loss of your motor vehicle. You may not have to use UMPD or UIMPD if you have collision coverage that pays for your property damage in full.
Contact a Rhode Island Uninsured Driver Accident Attorney
Being injured in a car accident is always a stressful and nerve-racking experience, not to mention that it can leave you with physical, emotional, and financial hardships.
Luckily, you do not have to go through this alone. Seek the counsel of a Rhode Island uninsured driver accident attorney if you were involved in a car crash with an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run motorist.
Contact Robert E. Craven & Associates to schedule a case evaluation right away. Call 401-453-2700.
Resource:
iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists
