Uninsured Motorist coverage, or “UM” coverage, is meant to protect you if you are injured in an accident caused by a driver who does not have insurance. Of course, both Ohio and Pennsylvania law require that all drivers have auto insurance. So, with that being said, is UM coverage really necessary?
The answer, simply put, is YES. Traditional auto insurance, or liability coverage, is required in most states. But, unfortunately, not everyone follows the law. An alarmingly high number of people are driving without insurance, and when they cause an accident, those people who are injured as a result can be left with few options if they don’t have UM coverage. Of course, if you are injured by an uninsured driver, you can sue that driver personally. However, even if you are successful in your lawsuit, there’s no guarantee that you’ll ever be able to recover your awarded damages. If the person has few or no assets, there’s nothing to recover from – i.e., the old “blood from a stone” analogy. Furthermore, the person may be able to discharge the judgment through a bankruptcy filing. With UM coverage, your insurance provider “stands in the shoes” of the uninsured driver and addresses your claim. It’s up to the insurance company, then, to attempt to recoup its losses from the uninsured driver.
UM coverage is generally not expensive. In the all-too-common scenario where an uninsured driver causes injuries, it can be a crucial tool to help an injured person get back on his or her feet.
