Protect Yourself from Underinsured and Uninsured Drivers

As of 2012, the Insurance Research Council (IRC) estimates that approximately 1 in 8 drivers (12.6%) drive without insurance.

Uninsured Drivers

Most states require drivers to have auto liability insurance, but a few do not, including New Hampshire. While Massachusetts has a low incidence of uninsured drivers (4.0% in 2012), you are on the roads with drivers insured in other states or may visit another state yourself on vacation or for work. A popular vacation spot like Florida has among the highest uninsured driver rates, with 23.8%. Drivers from all over visit New England, so you can only assume that some people are as responsible as you are.

Underinsured Drivers

You face an even greater risk of being hit by an “underinsured” driver who doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your injuries. Massachusetts only requires minimum limits of $20,000/$40,000 bodily injury to others to register a vehicle…that won’t cover much in a severe accident. When you purchased your auto insurance, you probably purchased higher limits; however, you can’t rely on others to be as responsible.

Use your Auto Insurance to Protect Yourself

So what can you do? You can protect yourself by having “uninsured and underinsured coverage” on your auto policy. Uninsured coverage pays for injuries resulting from an accident, with a driver responsible for the injuries but no liability coverage. Underinsured coverage is when the responsible driver has insufficient liability limits to pay for your injuries. Generally, you can purchase uninsured and underinsured up to the limits of the “optional bodily injury to others coverage” you have purchased. Why would I want to protect myself less than I protect others?

Talk to your agent about upgrading your coverage on your auto insurance policy to be protected in case an underinsured or uninsured motorist injures you. If you have an umbrella policy, you can upgrade your umbrella coverage to include this protection.