Texas has one of the largest populations of uninsured drivers in the country. A whopping 22% of the people driving next to you do not carry liability insurance according to the state — and I think that number is higher.
This is why it is more important than ever to make sure that you have UM/UIM coverage on your policy.
Many of my clients have purchased UM/UIM (Uninsured/Under Insured) benefits but they don’t know it — and they would never receive money they are entitled to until I got them this money. Their own agents tell them not to file — if my clients even think to call their agents. And virtually none of my clients understand what UM/UIM is and how it can help them immeasurably.
UM/UIM is a part of the auto insurance policy which can be used to help pay medical bills and lost wages if it is discovered that the negligent party does not have insurance or if their insurance is not enough properly compensate you for your injuries. So, for example, if your injuries exceed the amount of the defendant’s insurance policy limits, at that point your Underinsured Motorist Coverage would then kick in.
UM/UIM covers every insured no matter what vehicle they are in. It also covers everyone in the insured vehicle. Some of my clients are uneasy about filing a claim on their own policy, believing their rates will increase. However, by state law, insurance companies cannot raise rates for filing UM/UIM.
The UM/UIM statute requires that a signed rejection of the coverage be provided, or UM/UIM has to be paid. I immediately write a letter to my client’s carrier when I am hired, and always force the insurance carrier to provide a signed rejection for my clients, even when they try to evade my request. There have been at least 10 cases when I made companies pay my clients UM/UIM benefits – including one last week — even though my clients had never even purchased UM/UIM! Needless to say, they were ecstatic to receive this money.
Every insurance company that sells policies in Texas is required by law to offer UM/UIM coverage with every policy. Texas insurance companies offer a minimum of $25,000.00 and up to your liability limits worth of UM/UIM coverage. I strongly encourage you to purchase this coverage at an average cost of as low as $10 a month.
If you’ve been in a wreck, please contact my office by phone at 817-885-8000 or fill out this contact form for a free case evaluation. I will take the time to personally meet with you and explain the whole process including all the ways I can get you money, many of which you may not have even known were available to you.