Uninsured Motorists are on the rise
Posted Thursday, February 05, 2009 by Ed Harper
Uninsured Motorists are on the rise in Washington. A recent study by an Insurance company representative has shown that the number of uninsured drivers in Washington is on the rise. More than 16% of the drivers on Washington State highways are uninsured. Apparently, the slow economy has caused individuals and families to make hard choices – and the result is that the purchase of insurance is an option. This is a horrible choice – and an illegal one. The penalties for driving without insurance often exceed $500-$600. This is in addition to the costs and expenses you could become obligated when there are injuries that you cause while driving your uninsured vehicle.
What does that mean for everyone else? Buy Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) also known as Uninsured Motorist coverage! This protects you in the same amount as your liability limits protect you when you have injured the other guy involved in the accident. The UIM benefit works likes this: 1. If you are injured by someone who does not have insurance, you make the bodily injury claim against your own company. Your company steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver, and hopefully you will be compensated in the same amount you would have received from the at-fault driver. 2. If you are injured by one who does not have enough insurance (the minimum limit here in Washington is $25,000/$50,000) you can make a claim to you own company for full compensation as if the at-fault driver had sufficient coverage.
This may seem like an extra, un-needed expense, during tight economic times, but the downside is too great to not go without really stout UIM coverage. The coverage is not that expensive, and oftentimes, this may be the only compensation you will ever receive for a collision you did not cause. If you have any questions regarding this, feel free to call me at 425 284 3333. Ed Harper, Harper Law PLLC.
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