Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage in New England

  • Posted by Daniel Simcock
  • On March 27, 2023
  • driving accident, driving record, liability, property damage, UMBI, Underinsured motorist, Uninsured motorist
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Driving without insurance is illegal in New England, yet a significant number of drivers remain uninsured or underinsured. This poses a problem for insured drivers who get into accidents with these uninsured drivers. To mitigate this risk, it’s essential to have uninsured motorist coverage. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of uninsured motorist coverage in New England, and provide tips for choosing the right level of coverage.

Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage is Important

According to a 2020 study by the Insurance Research Council, 12.4% of drivers in Massachusetts and 9.3% of drivers in Connecticut were uninsured. Rhode Island had the highest percentage of uninsured drivers, at 17.3%. These numbers are concerning, as getting into an accident with an uninsured driver can be costly.

If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, you may have to pay for damages and injuries out of pocket, even if the accident wasn’t your fault. Uninsured motorist coverage can help protect you from these expenses. It can cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages resulting from an accident with an uninsured driver.

Choosing the Right Level of Coverage

When choosing uninsured motorist coverage, there are two types to consider: uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD). UMBI covers injuries to you and your passengers, while UMPD covers damage to your vehicle.

It’s important to choose the right level of coverage for your needs. While the minimum coverage requirements in New England may be enough to cover some accidents, they may not be sufficient for more severe accidents. Consider the following when choosing your coverage level:

  1. Your Budget – You may want to opt for a higher coverage level, but if it’s outside of your budget, it may not be feasible. Determine how much you can afford to pay for your coverage.
  2. Your Vehicle – The value of your vehicle should be taken into consideration when choosing your coverage level. If you have a newer or more expensive vehicle, you may want to opt for a higher coverage level to protect your investment.
  3. Your Driving Habits – If you frequently drive in areas with high percentages of uninsured drivers, you may want to consider a higher coverage level.
  4. Your Health Insurance – If you have comprehensive health insurance, you may not need as much UMBI coverage.

Final Thoughts

Uninsured motorist coverage is essential in New England, where uninsured and underinsured drivers are prevalent. By choosing the right level of coverage, you can protect yourself from the financial burden of an accident with an uninsured driver. Consider your budget, vehicle, driving habits, and health insurance when choosing your coverage level.

We hope this article was helpful. If we didn’t cover a specific question, please feel free to contribute to the comments below or reach out to us directly at info@lapointeins.com.