When the Other Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured in Northern California
California auto insurance law allows for comparatively low liability coverage. Drivers are only required to carry $15,000 in liability coverage to pay for the bodily injuries of the people they hit in an accident. During our difficult economic times, an increasing number of people drive with no insurance at all.
At the Law Offices of Julia J. Parranto in Santa Rosa, California, we offer a free initial lawyer consultation to explain your options if you have been injured in an accident in which the other driver was either uninsured or did not carry enough insurance to pay for your injuries. For many people, uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help make up the difference.
What is UM/UIM Insurance?
UM/UIM insurance is insurance you buy to protect yourself and your family if you are injured in an accident in which the other driver was uninsured or underinsured.
Will My Insurance Rates Go Up if I File a UM/UIM Claim?
No, contrary to what many people believe, your insurance rates by law cannot go up unless you were at fault for the accident.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File an UM/UIM Claim?
While you can file an uninsured or underinsured motorists claim on your own, a study by Allstate Insurance showed that accident victims who hire lawyers receive more money than people who represent themselves, even after paying attorney fees.
Uninsured and underinsured motorists claims are resolved by settlement or by arbitration, not by juries.
How Much UM/UIM Insurance Should I Have?
While it may be too late for an accident you have just been involved in, you should carry at least as much coverage for uninsured and underinsured drivers as you carry liability coverage for other people you injure. Otherwise, you are insuring the rest of the world more than your own family.
Call Now for a Free Lawyer Consultation
Protect your rights if you have been injured. Call 866-895-4129 or fill out the contact form on this Web site to arrange a free consultation with attorney Julia Parranto about uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage. Our law office is located in Santa Rosa in the heart of the Sonoma and Napa Valley wine region of Northern California.
