What is Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage? Is it good to have on my auto insurance policy?

In our opinion, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage (also called UM coverage) is critical to have in Florida.  We recommend to anyone who will listen (whether they are our client or not) that they should carry as much UM coverage as they can afford.

UM coverage protects you if you are injured by a driver who is completely uninsured, or who does not carry enough liability coverage to fully compensate you for your injuries.  In other words, UM coverage protects you from the most irresponsible people on the roads.

UM coverage is designed to act just like the negligent driver’s insurance — if the negligent driver had bothered to have liability insurance.  UM coverage will pay any damages that the negligent driver would have been responsible for paying:  medical bills, lost wages, but also pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of the ability to enjoy life, impairment, and disability.

For more on UM coverage, please see our longer article here.