Why You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage
To protect against unforeseen auto accidents, Wisconsin drivers should consider adding uninsured motorist (UM) coverage to their liability and collision coverage. Having uninsured motorist coverage is vital in a state where 13.3% of Wisconsin drivers were without insurance in 2019.
Wisconsin requires drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage to protect against uninsured drivers. A car policy that includes both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can keep you protected by providing the compensation you need after a collision. Speak with a vehicle accident lawyer at Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers to learn more about how auto insurance affects your settlement after an accident. We can also help you with the claims process.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work in Wisconsin?
In a hit-and-run or uninsured motorist accident, your UM coverage compensates you, your family, and other passengers for physical injuries. The policy also pays for damages if an uninsured or hit-and-run driver hits you or a family member as a pedestrian.
Under Wisconsin law, all drivers must carry these minimum amounts in their UM coverage:
- $25,000 for a person’s physical injuries
- $50,000 for more than one person for bodily injuries
You can opt for higher UM coverages to protect yourself and your family if you suffer severe injuries, such as a TBI or spinal cord injury. Your UM insurance can help pay for healthcare bills due to medical treatments, hospitalizations, and follow-up doctor visits.
Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pay for Property Damage?
Uninsured motorist coverage doesn’t include compensation for damage to your car if an uninsured driver hits it. Instead, you may need to file a claim under your collision coverage in your auto insurance policy. A collision coverage policy pays for vehicle repair costs up to the amount of your car’s value before the accident.
What About Wisconsin’s Safety Responsibility Law?
The Safety Responsibility Law in Wisconsin also protects people by penalizing uninsured drivers with sanctions and incentivizing liability insurance. After a crash with an uninsured driver, a person must submit evaluations for motor vehicle damage, physical injuries, and property damage to the Wisconsin DMV.
The DMV issues a Notice of Suspension to a driver if it determines that the uninsured driver is liable for the damages sustained. The notice contains guidelines as to how the driver may avoid suspension.
These guidelines include paying a security deposit for the damages and offering proof of their liability insurance policy. The DMV can impose a one-year suspension of the uninsured driver’s license and vehicle registration if they refuse to comply within 41 days.
Why It’s Important to Have Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is very similar to uninsured motorist coverage. Buying UIM coverage can help cover any differences between the at-fault driver’s liability limits and your damages. An underinsured motorist policy covers you if you are injured by a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your injuries.
For instance, you may incur $40,000 in medical bills and other injury-related damages after an accident with the at-fault driver. You may discover the at-fault driver’s liability insurance has a $25,000 limit for physical injuries when you file a claim against their auto insurance company. Therefore, you would also have to file a UIM claim under the limits of your auto insurance policy.
Insurance companies may offer this coverage to you when you shop for auto insurance. If you choose to buy UIM coverage, the minimum limits required to protect against underinsured motorists in the state include:
- $50,000 for one person
- $100,000 for an accident
Get Uninsured Motorist Claim Help from Our Legal Team
A Green Bay car accident lawyer at Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers can help if you’ve been injured by an uninsured or underinsured motorist in Wisconsin. We can represent you in communications with your insurance company, collect evidence, and develop a strong claim on your behalf to ensure you receive the maximum benefits allowed by your policy.
Schedule a free consultation with us today to learn what to expect from the claims process and your legal options for receiving compensation.