Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), is a benefit that you can add or have as part of your insurance policy. UIM coverage comes into play when you are involved in a serious accident caused by another driver who is at fault but does not have enough insurance coverage to fully compensate you for your damages. It protects you so that if their policy doesn’t cover your expenses (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.), UIM closes that expense gap. In Utah, UIM coverage is not required, but we highly recommend adding it to your policy.
Now you might be wondering: what’s the difference between UIM and PIP coverage that Johnson| Livingston is talking about all the time? They are similar in the ways that they both help pay for your medical expenses after an accident, and that they’re both attached to your policy, but they differ from one another when it comes to fault. PIP coverage is no-fault, which means it can be accessed whether you’re at fault or not after a crash. UIM coverage is only accessible if it can be proven that the other driver was at fault.
Here’s an Example
Sally is driving on I-15 and is side swiped by Tom. Tom was distracted by his cell phone and drifted out of his lane. As a result, Sally’s car spins out of control and hits the barricade. Sally hits her head on the side window and is knocked unconscious. In order to fully recover from her injuries, Sally incurs the following medical charges:
- Ambulance Bill $2,615
- Emergency Room $15,356
- Concussion Therapy $6,723
- Chiropractic Care $5,487
- Follow up MRI $2,689
- TOTAL $32,870
In addition to the medical bills, Sally hasn’t been able to work at her computer job for 3 months while recovering from her concussion, so she’s lost $12,500 in gross wages. Sally’s total monetary damages equal $45,370.
When Sally contacts Tom’s insurance company. She finds out that Tom only has $25,000 in insurance coverage available to Sally. Fortunately, Sally pays for UIM benefits on her own insurance policy. After Tom’s insurance tenders their $25,000, and Sally makes a claim on her own policy for the remaining compensation.
Why It Matters
Underinsured motorist coverage acts as a safety net, ensuring that you are protected in case of accidents involving drivers who carry insufficient insurance coverage. By having UIM coverage, you can pursue the compensation you deserve beyond the limits of the at-fault driver’s policy.
While you may think you are adequately protected by relying solely on the other driver’s insurance, situations like Sally’s accident demonstrate the potential financial burden of being underinsured.
Without UIM coverage, Sally would have been left with significant out-of-pocket expenses, potentially unable to cover her medical bills and lost wages adequately. In such cases, a personal injury attorney can help navigate the complexities of insurance claims and legal processes to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Components of UIM Coverage
1. Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI)
2. Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD)
If purchased, Utah law requires you purchase at least $25k per person/ $50k per accident of UIM.
3. Underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIMBI)
4. Underinsured motorist property damage (UIMPD)
If purchased, Utah law requires you to purchase at least $10k per person/ $20k per accident of UIM.
Things to Know About UIM Coverage
1.
You can refuse to pay for it, but for the few extra dollars a year, it’s worth the peace of mind.
2.
You can only buy as much UIM coverage as you have liability coverage. For example, let’s say you’re at fault for an accident and you only pay for the $25,000 Utah minimum to compensate the person you hit. You can’t pay for the 25K minimum but you have a $100K UIM limit for yourself. The UIM limit has to be equal or less than the liability limit.
Pricing and Compensation from Case?
Call: (801) 948-9670
Text: (801) 683-5359
When a claim settles, our fee is 1/3 of the settlement value.
For cases that are filed in the court, or litigated, our fee increases to 40% of any money awarded.
Our fees are standard in the Utah personal injury marketplace.
Johnson | Livingston, LLC
Personal Injury & Trial Attorneys
195 South Orem Blvd, Suite 1
Orem, UT 84058
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Disclaimer: This website and its contents are intended for informational purposes only and do not intend to provide or replace medical or legal advice.