Does My Uninsured Motorist Coverage Apply Even If I Am Injured In Another Person's Vehicle?

Young Male Driver Suffering From Whiplash After An Indiana Auto AccidentYou purchased uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage to provide you with compensation if you were to be involved in an accident with a driver who did not have insurance. This is important coverage to have because—even though drivers in Indiana are required by law to have car insurance—many drivers are not insured. Our Indianapolis car accident attorney states if an uninsured driver is responsible for the auto accident that left you injured, you would have no choice but to file a claim against your own insurance policy. However, with an uninsured or underinsured motorist policy, you have added protection to cover your medical bills and lost wages.

What Does My Auto Insurance Policy Cover

While you are probably aware of what a UIM policy will cover if your car is involved in a crash, you may not realize that the policy may also cover you in other situations. Under most policies, your uninsured motorist coverage follows you to every vehicle in which you are an occupant or a driver. Thus, if you are riding with a friend and get involved in an automobile accident with a driver who was at fault, but who does not have either any insurance or enough insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage will pay your damages up to the policy limits.

There Is No Reason Not to Carry UIM in Indiana

If you own a car in Indiana, you are required to carry a certain amount of liability insurance in case you cause a crash. You may also opt for additional coverage to pay for damage to your own car if you are in an auto accident. Every auto insurance policy in Indiana will also include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, but you have the option to reject this coverage. You must do so in writing, stating that you were offered the coverage, but have chosen not to accept it. We do not recommend that you do this. This money is there for you if you are injured by an uninsured driver and could prove to be vital in helping you make a full recovery.

James R. Keller
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