Although liability coverage is mandated by law in most U.S. states, there are still a number of individuals who, for one reason or another, either have no insurance at all or a policy that's so basic that it wouldn't be of much help if he or she ever got into an accident. If you are ever in an automotive mishap caused by such a person, you would appreciate the value of uninsured motorist (UM) protection, especially if you live in states that do not require car owners to carry liability insurance, like Florida.

Sure, you may have your own personal injury insurance. But if the kinds of medical treatment you require to treat your injuries exceed your policy's limit, then you would have to shoulder the rest of the treatment cost yourself. However, if you had UM or underinsured (UIM) motorist protection, you would not need to shell out extra money if your personal injury insurance is inadequate as UM or UIM would take care of these expenses for you.

>> Get the Best Auto Insurance Rates <<

UM and UIM insurance do not protect only the car's driver; its coverage extends to the passengers of the vehicle as well. In Connecticut, for instance, the minimum coverage per person is $20,000. So you can take some comfort in the fact that if the at-fault driver's insurance is inadequate or nonexistent, your UI /UIM insurance will help foot your companions' medical bills as well as your own.

Though the safety of the car's driver and passengers are paramount, it would be helpful if the cost to repair a vehicle damaged by an uninsured/underinsured driver would be covered as well. The good news is that in a number of states, so-called UM property damage insurance is available. While collision coverage generally takes care of the cost of repairing your damaged vehicle, some customers prefer UM property damage insurance because it costs lower to buy in some states. And in some areas, UM property damage even comes free if you purchase collision insurance. Talk about big savings!

Uninsured motorist protection is an important thing to have; some industry advisers even go so far as to claim that it is one of the most necessary insurance coverages that a car owner must have. If you live in a state with a high number of uninsured/underinsured motorists (like Colorado) or where liability coverage is not required by law, experts recommend purchasing a policy with the highest limits you can afford. It will pay for itself many times over if you have the misfortune of encountering a negligent, uninsured driver on the road.

>> Get the Best Auto Insurance Rates <<