Uninsured Driver and Comprehensive Auto Insurance Provide Financial Protection
Dan Carter
Every state requires drivers to carry some kind of auto insurance, with the minimum required amount determined by each individual state. However, there are many drivers out there who carry no insurance at all. Many states recognize this and require drivers to buy Uninsured Motorist Coverage (http://www.AutoInsuranceShoppe.com/Types_of_Auto_Insurance_Coverage.html) as well.
Uninsured motorists are ten times more likely to drink and drive and three times more likely to be convicted of negligent driving. About 15 percent of drivers do not carry insurance. So it's not surprising that, one in ten of all drivers have been involved in accidents with uninsured drivers. So what should you do if this happens to you and what can you do to protect yourself?
When an accident happens, it's hard to know whether or not the other driver has insurance. You should respond the way you would to any accident. Write down as much information as you can about the other car, like make and model, and license and registration numbers. Get the other driver's information as well, keeping in mind that he might not be telling the truth.
Also note the damage to the other car and the accident scene. Remember to record road signs and markings, light and weather conditions and whether the other car had its lights on. The more detail you can record, the better. If you are fortunate enough to have an independent witness get their full contact details. And if you also happen to have a camera with you, take lots of pictures (try to get one with the other driver clearly in the picture). The police might have use for that one!
If you have a comprehensive auto insurance policy, your insurer will pay for your car to be repaired but you could lose your no claims discount. And then there's the issue of your deductible (that's the first part of the repair expense you have to pay for). You will pay that unless you have a policy that waives the deductible if you're hit by an uninsured motorist.
Even drivers who have auto insurance sometimes only carry the minimum limits, which may not be enough to cover all of the damages in an accident for which they are responsible. If the at-fault driver cannot pay the out of pocket expenses for the damages that insurance doesn't cover, you will be left with the bill yourself unless you have Underinsured Motorist insurance.
The best advice is to purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with your auto policy and to be alert, drive defensively and wear a seatbelt.
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