Uninsured, Underinsured Motorist (health insurance, lawyer, deductible)

[DiverTodd62]

It's always been on my auto insurance policies. The rates are the same on all my vehicles so the cost doesn't seem to be actuary based. On a full coverage policy, what exactly does this cover? What are a few examples where the policy would pay *under this provision*?

Yeah, I plan to grill my agent. Just want to be armed with information first.

[tstone]

It basically pays for damage to your car caused by a collision, when the other person is at fault and runs away or is un/underinsured. Some use it as an alternative to the more expensive collision coverage. Your deductible is usually $250. I carry the minimum 20/40/15 because the car isn't worth that much and I have health insurance. it's pretty cheap.

[Poltracker]

Very important thing to have here in houston since a very large percentage of the drivers do not have insurance.

[DiverTodd62]

Originally Posted by tstone

It basically pays for damage to your car caused by a collision, when the other person is at fault and runs away or is un/underinsured. Some use it as an alternative to the more expensive collision coverage. Your deductible is usually $250. I carry the minimum 20/40/15 because the car isn't worth that much and I have health insurance. it's pretty cheap.

But I specified a full coverage policy. So if you already have collision, then where is this uninsured motorist provision needed?

The provision C - Uninsured, Underinsured Motorist is broken down to two sections, Bodily Injury and Property Damage.

[DiverTodd62]

Originally Posted by Poltracker

Very important thing to have here in houston since a very large percentage of the drivers do not have insurance.

Explain why? Give an example where I can have Liability, PIP, Collision and Comprehensive where I would NOT be covered by not having this Uninsured provision.

[Texas Mack]

To add to what Tstone posted, you don't have to take out the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, particularly if you've already opted to carry collision coverage. The collision coverage applies to your vehicle (up to the amounts specified in your policy) and is typically more expensive than the more basic uninsured/underinsured policy.

[DiverTodd62]

I'm really not concerned about the property damage aspect but the injury aspect. For the UI/UUI provision, each vehicle is assessed $40 for Bodily Injury and $25 for Property Damage. They are listed under one single provision.

OK, so if Collision is covering for the UI/UUI property damage aspect, is basic Liability covering the UI/UUI injury aspect? Because basic Liability is a required component, anyone who has auto insurance has it. So when would there *ever* be a claim filed under the injury aspect of UI/UUI?

[tstone]

Originally Posted by DiverTodd62

But I specified a full coverage policy. So if you already have collision, then where is this uninsured motorist provision needed?

Something like what I did is 'tiered' somewhat. I have full coverage also. 100/300 liability, 1000 ded coll, 500 ded comp, $40 rental/day + 20/40/15 UI. So basically the scenarios are:

If I cause an accident, my car is fixed for $1000
If someone else causes one and runs away, fixed for $250
If someone else causes & has insurance, fixed on their dime.

This structuring was cheaper than going with 250 ded coll. I can use the savings account as a sort of self-insurance too. Anyway my cars are worth maybe $6-7k each, so 20/40 is all I needed. When I get a new one I'll probably go up to 25/50 for the first 6 months or year.

As far as injury goes, my health insurance plan's annual maximum out of pocket is $5000. So the min 15k is plenty. I waived PIP so I guess if I cause an accident and get hurt I'm screwed in the medical dept. Hmm.... Untouched savings account helps for that one too I guess. And that's ok for now but when we have kids I may need to reconsider.

[babycakie]

Originally Posted by DiverTodd62

It's always been on my auto insurance policies. The rates are the same on all my vehicles so the cost doesn't seem to be actuary based. On a full coverage policy, what exactly does this cover? What are a few examples where the policy would pay *under this provision*?

Yeah, I plan to grill my agent. Just want to be armed with information first.

a drunk illegal alien with no insurance hit me and thank goodness I had Uninsured, Underinsured Motorist coverage although I did have to pay the $500 deductable.Oh the insurance company sent me lawyer letters letting me know they were gonna get the driver to pay me etc etc,never happened.

[DiverTodd62]

The deductible for UI/UUI property damage is fixed by the state at $250 so it doesn't sound like your claim was filed under this provision. Did you have collision coverage?