We all buy auto insurance because Illinois law requires it, primarily to protect everyone else on the road in case we make a mistake while driving and cause a car accident. We carry liability insurance to ensure that if we injure someone else, they have a source of recovery for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
However, many people don't fully appreciate a critical detail: while you are busy protecting others with your liability coverage, you must also actively protect yourself and your family from drivers who are uninsured, underinsured, or who flee the scene in hit-and-run accidents.
What is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) is a specific provision in your own automobile insurance policy. It allows you to file a claim against your own insurance company (or the insurance company of a household member) when the at-fault driver's insurance policy is insufficient to fully compensate you for your injuries, losses, and damages.
Essentially, UIM coverage acts as a safety net when the person who hurt you doesn't have adequate insurance to make you whole.
How UIM Coverage Works
When you're injured by a negligent driver who doesn't carry adequate insurance, your underinsured motorist coverage "steps into the shoes" of that wrongful driver. It pays you and your family members for injuries and losses resulting from someone else's negligence, up to the limits of your specific policy.
If you have questions about how your specific policy applies to a recent collision, Morici, Longo & Associates offers free consultations at our Chicago, IL office. Call us today at (312) 779-0366 or contact us online.
Why This Coverage Is Critical in Illinois
At Morici, Longo & Associates, we represent many individuals who have been injured in motor vehicle collisions and have nowhere to collect adequate compensation. This often happens because:
- The injuries were caused by an uninsured motorist.
- The at-fault driver had very low policy limits that cannot cover medical bills and serious injuries.
- Many drivers carry only the minimum insurance limits, which are shockingly inadequate for permanent disabilities or mounting medical bills.
When facing a $25,000 policy from an at-fault driver, it simply won't be enough to cover a lifetime of care. You can view our case results to see how we have navigated these complex insurance landscapes to secure recovery for our clients.
What Illinois Law Requires
In Illinois, your insurance company is legally required to offer you underinsured motorist coverage equal to the liability coverage you carry to protect others. However, they don't always fulfill this obligation properly. Some companies bury this discussion in confusing paperwork or fail to explain why this coverage is vital.
Our founding attorney, James J. Morici Jr., and our entire legal team are dedicated to ensuring insurance companies fulfill their legal obligations to policyholders.
The Power of Umbrella Policies
Beyond basic UIM coverage, umbrella policies are one of the smartest insurance purchases available. These policies pick up where standard auto insurance leaves off, often providing an additional $1 million in coverage for a relatively low annual cost.
Critical Detail: You must ensure that your excess umbrella policy coverage applies to your underinsured motorist coverage, not just your liability coverage. Not all umbrella policies are structured the same way, and this distinction is crucial for your protection.
Real-World Impact: A Tale of Two Outcomes
The importance of this coverage is best seen in the outcomes of the families we represent:
- Minimal Recovery: We have handled cases where families lost loved ones but could only collect $20,000 or $25,000 because that was the limit of the at-fault driver's insurance.
- Full Recovery: In contrast, we represented a family whose 20-year-old son was killed on a snowy night. Because they had a $2 million umbrella policy with UIM coverage, we recovered the full $2 million for the surviving parents and siblings.
Both families suffered devastating losses, but the difference in financial stability came down to having adequate underinsured motorist coverage. You can read more about our commitment to clients on our reviews page.
What You Should Do Now
Protect yourself and your family from drivers who carry inadequate coverage by taking these steps:
- Review your policy: Check your underinsured motorist coverage limits immediately.
- Talk to your agent: Confirm whether your UIM coverage matches your liability coverage.
- Evaluate umbrella options: Ask about adding an umbrella policy and ensure in writing that it includes UIM protection.
- Stay informed: Read our related blog posts for more tips on navigating insurance claims in Illinois.
Don't wait until after an accident to discover you are underprotected.
Contact Morici, Longo & Associates Today
If you have questions about your coverage or have been injured in a collision, Morici, Longo & Associates is here to help. We provide experienced legal counsel right here in Chicago, IL.