UNINSURED MOTORIST (UIM/UM) COVERAGE IN ARKANSAS: DO I REALLY NEED IT?

True or False: You can’t plan for a car wreck.

Actually, it’s a trick question. It’s true that no one ever expects to be in a car accident. We’ve never heard someone say, “I have a meeting at 3:00, and then I’m going to run a stop sign and t-bone someone on my way to my son’s soccer game.” But there’s a difference in planning for something, as you would a vacation or a Thanksgiving dinner, and in being prepared. The truth is, you can be prepared for a car accident long before you buckle your seatbelt, and it all starts with your car insurance.  

If you’re like many people, you probably know that you have car insurance, but the details are a little fuzzy. Arkansas law requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, but beyond that, other types of coverage are optional – and many people opt out. Ideally, every driver would follow the law, carry liability insurance policies, and protect his or her fellow drivers. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Experts estimate that on average, 1 out of every 8 drivers across the United States does not have car insurance. In Arkansas, the rate is even higher: 15% of Arkansas drivers are uninsured.

This is where something called Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) comes into play. It’s often the last type of insurance listed, but any personal injury attorney will tell you how important this coverage can actually be. Why should you consider adding UM coverage to your policy? There are three different scenarios where it can make a big difference:

1. You’re involved in an accident where the other driver is at-fault and uninsured. In this situation, it’s very difficult to get compensation from the other driver. UM coverage protects you, your family, and other passengers who sustain injuries. Having UM/UIM coverage can save you the long, stressful process of filing a personal injury claim, and clients with UM coverage who do file a claim will usually see their case resolved more quickly.

2. The other driver was insured, but your medical bills or property damage have exceeded the limits on their policy. Medical bills and extensive vehicle damage can easily go beyond policy coverage limits; we see it every day. UIM coverage helps cover any excess expenses, leaving you one less thing to worry about as you recover.

3. The other driver left the accident, and you have no way to find them. Known as a hit and run, this type of accident is extremely frustrating. Many people don’t know that UM coverage will also cover damages or injuries you sustain when the other driver is nowhere to be found.

We know that insurance can be expensive, and it may seem difficult to justify paying even more for a policy you doubt you’ll really need to use. But when you consider that over 6,000 people are injured in car accidents across the U.S. every day (per NHTSA reports), UM/UIM coverage looks at lot more like an investment than an expense.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident in Arkansas where the other driver was uninsured or underinsured? The attorneys at Taylor King Law can help. With our 24/7 phone service and free consultations, you’ve got nothing to lose – but a lot to gain. Call Taylor King today to get the help of an experienced Arkansas personal injury attorney.