In the United States, there are approximately 12.6 million uninsured drivers. This statistic has remained relatively stable over the past few years. The Insurance Research Council (IRC) studies this statistic based on claims made by people injured by uninsured motorists. According to IRC, the uninsured motorist rate was higher in twenty states than the national average in 2019. In contrast, uninsured motorist rates were lower in 29 states.
When an uninsured motorist is at fault in an accident, it is important to file a claim as soon as possible. This can minimize the costs of car repairs and medical bills. While uninsured motorist coverage may not be required by state law, it can give you peace of mind in the event of an accident. Bodily injury coverage will pay for your medical bills while property damage coverage will pay for the damage to your car.
Bodily injury coverage from an uninsured motorist pays for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and funeral expenses. It also covers you if the uninsured motorist hits pedestrians or cyclists. And the property damage coverage pays for damage to your car and other property.
In California, uninsured motorist insurance is required by law. However, the rate of uninsured motorists has been increasing, so it is important to get coverage to protect yourself. The state minimum liability limit is $30,000, so it is best to buy a higher amount of coverage. And remember, if you are not insured, you can still get a fine! This coverage is also optional.
How Long Do You Have to File an Uninsured Motorist Claim in California?
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file an uninsured motorist claim under the statute of limitations set forth in California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle damage, even if the at-fault driver was clearly negligent. The insurance company must be notified of your UM claim as soon as possible, though your policy may require notice within specific timeframes outlined in your coverage terms.
California law requires all auto insurance policies to include uninsured motorist coverage unless you explicitly reject it in writing. When an uninsured driver causes injuries in Southern California’s high-traffic areas, victims often face mounting medical bills without a clear path to compensation. Your UM carrier steps into the role of the at-fault driver’s non-existent insurance company, but they will scrutinize your claim carefully.
Documenting the accident scene, obtaining the police report, and preserving medical records strengthens your position when the insurance adjuster evaluates damages. Since uninsured motorist claims in California follow comparative negligence principles, even minor documentation gaps can reduce your settlement if the insurer argues you share fault for the collision.
The Insurance Research Council has conducted a study about the uninsured motorists problem and determined that there is a need for uninsured motorist coverage. Moreover, the cost of medical treatment can be very high. Therefore, having uninsured motorist coverage can help cover these expenses. In addition, the coverage may also cover the cost of a totaled car. And it may also be mandatory in some states.
Whether you have uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage, it can help protect your finances in case of an accident. This coverage will pay for the damages and medical expenses in case you are injured or hit by an uninsured motorist. You may also want to consider this coverage because it is important if you need medical attention after an accident.
Having uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage will cover medical expenses and loss of earnings for the injured person, while uninsured motorist property damage coverage will cover the repairs to your car. Unfortunately, this coverage is not available in every state, so you should check with your state’s laws to determine if you can get this coverage.
Uninsured motorists coverage is an important part of having adequate auto insurance coverage. It is important to have a policy that covers both types of coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is crucial if the other driver has no insurance coverage and causes an accident. In many cases, the uninsured motorist is the at-fault driver.
