If you drive a motor vehicle in the state of Connecticut, you are required to carry auto insurance. This ensures that drivers are covered for their injuries in the event of an accident. In addition to having standard coverage, there are specific amounts of coverage you are required to have as well, including uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage? We will break down some of the specifics of what this type of coverage entails and how it works.
Although this blog will give you a better understanding of insurance coverage, please consult with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Connecticut who can advise you further. This is especially important if you have been in an accident and need to take legal action to ensure you receive the compensation you need.
The Specifics of Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is a legal requirement for every auto insurance policy issued in Connecticut.
Uninsured motorist coverage is meant to protect you in a number of situations, including:
- when the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance;
- when the at-fault driver intentionally hits you;
- when your accident involves a hit-and-run vehicle;
- when the at-fault driver's insurance company declines to provide coverage.
For underinsured motorist coverage, it was put in place to cover your damages in the event that the at-fault driver's insurance policy limits are insufficient. In this case, you would submit a claim to your own insurance provider up to the underinsured motorist coverage's maximum. But unless you have what is called "underinsured motorist conversion coverage," such a claim only arises if the limits of your underinsured motorist coverage are higher than the liability limits of the at-fault driver's policy. The limits of the underinsured motorist coverage can be "stacked" on top of the liability limitations of the at-fault driver's insurance policy thanks to conversion coverage.
Both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is dependent on the coverage limits you have in your policy. For example, if you have $100,000 worth of uninsured motorist coverage and are involved in an accident with a motorist without insurance, you would receive up to $100,000 worth of coverage. If you have this same amount for underinsured motorist coverage, get into an accident and have $100,000 in damages, but the other motorist has just $50,000 in coverage, then you would get $50,000 from the other driver’s insurance policy and $50,000 from your own underinsured motorist coverage policy.
Been in a Connecticut Car Accident With Someone Without Insurance? Contact Us For Help
If you find yourself injured after an auto accident and the at-fault driver doesn't have insurance or insufficient coverage, you may have options. Let our experience help you get the compensation you deserve, especially in complex situations involving uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
The Connecticut car accident lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, have decades of experience in auto accidents and we know how to get our clients the resolution they are due. If you have questions or need a knowledgeable lawyer who can help, contact us for your free consultation and let's discuss your options.