Making sure that you are meeting the minimum requirements for car insurance is very important. If you fall short of your state’s requirements, you are technically breaking the law. While many consider meeting their state’s minimum requirement sufficient, others want to make sure that they are protected financially under any circumstances.
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) reported in 2004 that 14.43 percent of drivers were on the road with no car insurance. This makes the chance of becoming involved in an accident with an uninsured driver reasonably high. As a result, many drivers in California wonder whether it would be worthwhile to take out uninsured driver insurance.
What would uninsured driver insurance protect me from?
There are two main types of uninsured driver insurance. Both serve the purpose of protecting you financially in the event of you getting involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver.
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage is a type of insurance that makes sure that pain, suffering, medical expenses and lost wages are covered in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver. The coverage will apply to the driver and any passengers in the vehicle, up to a certain specified monetary value.
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage makes sure that your vehicle is financially protected if it gets hit by an uninsured driver.
Do I need to take out uninsured driver insurance in California?
Twenty states legally require that uninsured driver insurance is taken out, but California is not one of them. This means that deciding whether to take out this type of insurance tends to be your choice. If your vehicle is being financed, however, the leasing or lending company will likely require that you take out uninsured or underinsured driver insurance so that they are protected.
What can I do if I am hit by an uninsured driver?
If you believe that the driver you were hit by does not have adequate insurance, you can use your insurance plan to recoup damages. It is important that you have a good understanding of the insurance coverage that you have, as well as your rights under the law, when taking action against an uninsured driver.