Charles J Argento, Accident and Injury Attorney
Charles J Argento, accident and injury attorney

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What you need to know about uninsured motorist coverage

On Behalf of | Oct 18, 2018 | blog

When it comes to car insurance, deciding the exact type of coverage you need can be quite difficult. Although your insurance agent may advise and inform you about your options, the truth is that your agent has the company’s best interests at heart.

It is your responsibility to take out the insurance coverage that best protects you in the most common circumstances you are likely to face on the roads. The reality is that many of today’s motorists drive uninsured , and if you have a crash with them and they were at fault, you may end up without compensation. One way to protect yourself from this eventuality is to include uninsured motorist coverage when you buy car insurance.

Understanding uninsured motorist coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage compensates you in the event that the other driver in a car accident does not have insurance and holds fault for the crash. The compensation may include payment of your medical costs if you suffer injuries and/or compensation for damage to your vehicle. 

Why you need it

Uninsured motorist coverage is important because if the other driver in the accident is not insured, you may have to pay out of pocket for your expenses. The at-fault driver is not going to pay for your expenses, and your own insurance company will not compensate you if you do not have this protection as part of your policy.

Some states actually require that drivers include this type of coverage when they purchase auto insurance. Texas, however, is not one of those states, so if you get into a car crash in Texas with an uninsured driver and you do not carry this coverage, you will likely face an uphill battle when it comes to paying your medical bills and vehicle damage, not to mention other financial hardships such as lost wages due to time off work. When injuries are severe, you may need to seek a legal remedy to get the compensation you need for your particular case.