What are Underinsured/Uninsured motorist benefits?
In Pennsylvania, all drivers are required by law to have auto insurance. Unfortunately, even though it is illegal to drive without auto insurance in Pennsylvania, many people still do it.
Uninsured motorist coverage typically referred to as UM coverage, protects you and your family in the event that you and your family are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist or a hit and run driver who flees the sign of the accident. The UM coverage is provided by your own auto insurance policy and is another source of compensation available to you in the event you are injured by a uninsured or hit and run driver.
Underinsured motorist coverage typically referred to as UIM coverage, protects you and your family in the event that the at fault driver does not carry enough insurance to compensate you for your injuries. In Pennsylvania, all drivers are required to carry insurance with minimum liability limits typically of $15,000 per person and $30,000 for all persons injured in accident. UIM coverage provides you with additional compensation from your own insurance company over and above the limits of the at fault driver auto insurance policy. As you can see, UM and UIM coverage takes the guess work out of the available benefits you are entitled to receive when you or your family are injured in auto accident. Because car accidents typically involve injuries that in many instances can be significant, we recommend that you maintain UM/UIM coverage limits of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 total per accident. By maintaining UM/UIM limits at that level, you are taking the guess work out of the available compensation you are entitled to receive in the event you are involved in an accident with someone who is uninsured or who has minimal insurance coverage.
Ask your insurance company representative about stacking your benefits to get the most coverage for your money. Remember, you can make changes to your policy at any time. All you need to do is contact your insurance agent.