What is Uninsured (UM) and Underinsured (UIM) Motorist Coverage and do I really need it in Florida?
The simple answer is yes. I tell all clients, family members, and friends that if you can afford to add UIM coverage to your Florida car insurance policy, then you should do so immediately. In short, uninsured (UM) or underinsured (UIM) car insurance coverage protects individuals or families that have been injured in a car accident when the other driver either does not have any insurance, or has a very small amount of insurance that is insufficient to cover their serious injuries.
Florida law does not require all drivers to carry UIM coverage, but this does not mean that such coverage in Florida is not essential to you and your family’s safety and well being. At the very least, call your car insurance agent today and get a quote for what the additional coverage would cost. UM/UIM coverage is so important to have because what most people don’t know is that (1) one out of every (4) four cars in Miami-Dade County is being driven by a person with no insurance, or an inadequate amount of insurance. Meaning, that if that uninsured driver hits you, totals your car, and causes you serious bodily injury, you more than likely will not be able to recover any damages for your injuries from the at fault driver because they have no car insurance, and they are likely personally insolvent (which is why they were driving a car illegally without any insurance to begin with).
In such an unfortunate scenario (which happens far too often in Miami), if you had UM/UIM coverage, then your own insurance would step in to compensate you for your injuries, excess medical bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages, and loss of future earnings. When one considers how many cars are operating in Miami without insurance on a daily basis, UM/UIM coverage is well worth the additional monthly cost to your premium; to ensure that you and your loved ones are fully protected if the unthinkable happens. Nothing pains me more than fielding a call from an injured driver who does not have UIM coverage, and who was seriously injured by an uninsured motorist. Know your insurance coverage options and err on the side of caution.