What is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Under Delaware law, uninsured motorist coverage applies in 4 situations. Uninsured coverage applies where 1) the at-fault driver has no liability insurance; 2) the insurance company insuring the at-fault driver has gone insolvent; 3) the insurance company for the at-fault driver denies coverage; or 4) the accident was caused by a hit and run driver. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the value of your personal injuries is greater than the at-fault person’s insurance coverage and your underinsured motorist coverage is greater than the at-fault person’s coverage. In Delaware an insurance company must properly offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to you in an amount equal to the amount of your liability coverage. If the insurance company has failed to make a proper offer, the uninsured/underinsured coverage can be increased even after the accident. Our attorneys are well versed concerning these types of cases known as Reformation Actions (to reform your automobile insur
Uninsured/underinsured motorist is coverage that protects you, your resident family members or people occupying your vehicle. The coverage is “triggered” when you are injured by someone who is negligent in the operation of their vehicle which causes you injury. You could be in your vehicle, someone else’s vehicle or not in a vehicle at all. The point is that you are injured by someone else’s vehicle. If that someone else does not have auto liability insurance, or does not have enough coverage, your own automobile insurer will settle with you as if they represented the other party under this coverage.
It typically provides coverage for your bodily injury caused by an uninsured (a person who does not have insurance) or underinsured motorist (a person who does not have enough insurance to compensate you for your damages). In some states, this coverage extends to your vehicle damage, as well. Ask your Farmers claims representative how this coverage may apply under your policy.
UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE – An uninsured motorist is someone who (1) has no insurance, (2) has less than the state’s minimum limits, (3) is insured by a company that denies coverage or becomes insolvent, or (4) for bodily injury claims only, a hit & run driver. This coverage pays you if the negligent third party is uninsured. UNDERINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE A driver who meets the state’s financial responsibility requirements but who causes more damage than what he has coverage for is an underinsured motorist.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage typically covers damages to you and your property caused by another driver who doesn’t have insurance (uninsured) or doesn’t have adequate insurance (underinsured) to cover your damages. This coverage varies from state-to-state. Recent trends show a rapid growth in accidents caused by under or uninsured teenagers.
