Will Uninsured Motorist Insurance Cover Damaged Goods in a Car Accident?

The harsh truth is that when you are involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver or the victim of a hit-and-run, you will likely need to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Uninsured motorist coverage is an additional type of auto insurance mandatory in the state of Missouri. Unlike your standard policy, the UM coverage only comes into effect when you are in a car accident with a driver who is uninsured, or when you are the victim of a hit-and-run.

However, you should know that the UM policy doesn’t provide the same types of protections as auto insurance. The most important difference between them is that you uninsured motorist coverage may not cover car repairs.

Understanding Your UM Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage works differently than regular auto insurance. The law only mandates that this coverage pays for body injuries, with minimums set at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Damaged goods that may result from the car accident may not be covered in your settlement, and neither will any other damages you may have won during a classic car accident claim such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Counseling costs
• Quality of life effects
• Lost wages
• Permanent disability support, etc.

The purpose of this policy is generally to offer you protection for any medical needs that result from a car accident with an uninsured driver, or in the event of a hit-and-run.

Additionally, the process of getting compensated is a bit different. In a regular car accident claim, you file it with the at-fault party’s insurance company and negotiate a settlement. However, here, you are dealing with your own insurance company, meaning there is a contract between you too in which you’ve agreed to their terms upon taking out the policy. In some cases, this can hurt you during negotiations, as you are bound by the terms of your contract.

How to Pay for Your Damaged Goods

You may take out other types of insurance to protect your goods. One example is a collision insurance policy that you can use to pay for any vehicle repairs you need after a car accident. You may also sue the at-fault and try to recover at least some of the damages from them, which may be enough to cover the costs of your damaged goods.

When you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, and the at-fault party flees the scene, you may be able to get some compensation from the Crime Victims Compensation program if you are eligible.

Speak With a St. Louis Uninsured Motorist Attorney

The harsh truth is that when you are involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver or the victim of a hit-and-run, you will likely need to fight for the compensation you deserve. The UM coverage will account for your medical needs, however, other costs may not be covered. It is important to discuss the details of your claim with an experienced St. Louis uninsured motorist attorney to ensure that you are getting the full amount of compensation you are entitled to under your policy and to learn more about your other options.