How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work in California?

Most people know it is wise to get the other person’s insurance information after being in a car accident can be vital for receiving financial compensation.

However, what do you do if the person responsible is uninsured, or flees the scene of the crash?

Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to protect you in the event of either of the two above scenarios. Read on to learn more about how it works in the state of California and how a dedicated car accident lawyer can help you.

What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

When you get in a car accident, filing a claim with the insurance company can help you recover a settlement for your medical bills, property damages, lost income, and even emotional suffering.

Normally, you’d want to file this claim with the insurance company of the at-fault driver or party. But what happens when the person who causes your accident is uninsured or underinsured?

One of the many types of insurance coverage available in California is Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC). UMC is available from all auto insurance providers in California; you actually have to opt out of it, should you choose to do so.

If you decide to pay for UMC, there are couple different ways you’re covered for collisions with an uninsured driver:

• Uninsured Driver Bodily Injury Coverage – If you select this option as part of your insurance coverage, you can recover compensation for the injuries you or anyone else in your car suffers in an accident with an uninsured driver, up to the liability limits established by your plan.

• Uninsured Driver Property Damage –  This option covers the damages to your vehicle in an accident with an uninsured person. The limit for this coverage is $3,500, and, according to the state, only pays out if the driver is identified.

• Underinsured Motorist Coverage – Sometimes, the driver who causes your accident has insurance, but just not enough of it to pay for your damages. In those cases, underinsured motorist coverage can plug the gaps in coverage to help you recover compensation.

The Bottom Line

There are many different types of insurance coverage available to motorists in California; not all of them are strictly necessary.

However, having UMC to back you up in an unexpected situation could be worth it depending on a variety of factors, including your tolerance for risk.

There’s no one solution when it comes to picking the right coverage for you. And, if you’re in an accident, you can ask an experienced attorney for help filing a car accident claim by scheduling a free consultation.

Get Help from a Car Accident Lawyer

Injured in an accident? Get a free consultation with a car accident lawyer from The Kindley Firm, APC, to learn more about the different types of insurance you can receive.

Call 619-550-1313 or fill out the form on our website to learn more.