If you are a driver in New York, you may be wondering if you need to have uninsured motorist coverage (UM) on your auto insurance policy. The answer is yes, you do need it, and here’s why: UM is a special type of coverage that protects you in case you are injured in an accident caused by a driver who has no liability insurance or not enough to cover your damages. UM also covers you if you are hit by a hit-and-run driver who cannot be identified. New York is a no-fault state, which means that your own insurance company pays for your medical expenses and lost wages up to a certain limit, regardless of who caused the accident. However, no-fault does not cover your pain and suffering, or the damage to your vehicle or other property. That’s where UM comes in. UM can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your non-economic losses, as well as the excess economic losses that exceed your no-fault limit. UM can also help you pay for the repair or replacement of your vehicle if the other driver has no insurance or not enough to cover it. Read on and contact a New York City personal injury lawyer from The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny to learn more about UM insurance and how our firm can help if you’ve been injured by a negligent driver.
How Much Uninsured Motorist Coverage Do I Need?
New York State requires that all car insurance policies include $25,000 or more of UM coverage per person ($50,000 per accident) at a minimum. However, this may not be enough to cover your full damages in a serious accident. That’s why you should consider increasing your UM limits to match your liability limits, which are the maximum amounts your insurance company will pay for the other party’s damages if you cause an accident.
For example, if you have $100,000 of liability coverage per person ($300,000 per accident), you should also have $100,000 of UM coverage per person ($300,000 per accident). This way, you can ensure that you have adequate protection in case you are injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
You can also purchase underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), which is an optional coverage that pays the difference between the other driver’s liability limit and your UM limit. For example, if the other driver has $25,000 of liability coverage and you have $100,000 of UM coverage, UIM will pay up to $75,000 of your damages.
If you are injured in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may face challenges in getting the compensation you deserve from your own insurance company. You may have to prove that the other driver was at fault, that your injuries meet the serious injury threshold required by New York law, and that your damages exceed the available insurance coverage. Our firm is here to help. Contact The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny so you can tell us your story and so we can get started working on your case.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED NEW YORK CITY FIRM
Our entire legal team is dedicated to providing the advice you need and the personalized attention you deserve. If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, call 866-886-0892 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a New York City personal injury lawyer. You may be entitled to financial compensation, which can help you on your road to recovery.
