Imagine you’re driving down the road and then suddenly and out of nowhere–screech and crash–someone hits you. Getting into a car accident can be one of the most stressful moments in someone’s life. Between the “is everyone okay?” gut reaction, the damage to your vehicle, and getting injured yourself, the last thing on your mind should be how much the accident is going to cost you. But what if you get into an accident with an uninsured (or underinsured) driver? What will your insurance cover?
Great questions. Let’s explore the answers to hopefully ease your mind if you ever hit the bad-luck jackpot and this happens to you.
What to Do If You Get Into an Accident With an Uninsured Driver
- What will my insurance cover? This is probably the first and foremost question on someone’s mind as they start to put the pieces together after an accident. If you carry collision coverage on your auto insurance policy, your insurance company will pay for your vehicle damages less your deductible. Your insurance company would then pursue (subrogate) the other person or their insurance carrier for your deductible and any additional monies your insurance company pays out. If the other party is at fault and uninsured, you can utilize Uninsured Motorist Physical Damage (UMPD) coverage for your vehicle damages if offered in your state and you have it on your policy.
- What if I’m injured?If you are injured in an accident and the other party is at fault and is uninsured or carries inadequate bodily injury limits on their policy, you can pursue a claim under your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) bodily injury coverage.
When buying an auto insurance policy, make sure to discuss your personal insurance needs, coverage possibilities and necessary limits with your agent or insurance company. Looking into coverage with Metromile? We’re happy to offer both UIM coverage and collision coverage, so click here to get a free quote now!
Julianne Cronin is a Bay Area freelance writer, content creator, and founder/editor of the women’s lifestyle site, The Wink. You can find her working on her capsule wardrobe, collecting cacti, and trying out the latest beauty products on Instagram.