Every second of every day, a car crash occurs somewhere in Florida or Georgia.  Have you done everything possible to make sure that your family is protected for when your time comes?  Remember, being a safe and defensive driver is only half of the solution… because no matter how well you drive, you have no control over the millions of dangerous drivers on the road.  So rather than just count on luck to protect your loved ones, you should take other proactive steps as well.

The single most important step you can take to protect your family is to purchase a large amount of UM (Uninsured/Underinsured motorist) coverage when you buy your car insurance.  This coverage is not expensive, but it is more valuable than any other part of your policy for several reasons.

UM coverage is coverage that pays you and the passengers in your car whenever they are injured in an accident that is caused by someone else who does not carry enough insurance.  All other types of coverage, such as “Bodily Injury Liability” (BI) coverage, only come into play when you cause an accident.  So even if you carry $1 million in BI coverage, you will not receive a penny for your damages when someone else injures you unless you carry UM coverage.

Types of Uninsured Motorist Coverage:

• Bodily Injury (BI): This covers medical expenses for you and your passengers if you’re injured in an accident with an uninsured driver.

• Property Damage (PD): This covers repair costs for your vehicle if it’s damaged by an uninsured driver. Some policies may also cover damage to other property.

Limits and Deductibles:

Uninsured motorist coverage often comes with limits similar to your bodily injury and property damage liability limits. It’s important to review these limits when purchasing or renewing your policy. Some policies may also have deductibles, so clarify this with your insurer.

NO!  Florida residents are not required to purchase uninsured motorist coverage, but insurance companies are required to offer a minimum amount of uninsured motorist coverage. If you choose not to purchase UM coverage, you must opt-out in writing.

Unfortunately, Florida leads the nation in uninsured drivers. According to the Insurance Research Council, In Florida, 15.9 of drivers are uninsured.

What these statistics do not show is that for the 73.3% of drivers who are insured, they may only carry the legal minimum insurance coverage, making them very underinsured for accidents that cause serious injuries.

https://www.carinsurance.com/Articles/uninsured-motorist-coverage-state-averages-of-uninsured-drivers.aspx

In this economy, there are millions of drivers on the road who have lowered the car insurance significantly, or who have dropped their coverage altogether!  And as you might expect, these same drivers are also the most careless and dangerous drivers who end up causing most of the wrecks.  In fact, a large number of these drivers couldn’t even get car insurance if they wanted to do so because of their driving records.  These are the people of whom you should be scared, because they can cause a great deal of damage in an instant and never have the resources to pay for it.

But, if you carry UM coverage, then you are protected against this very common situation!  For example, if you are injured in an accident and incur $25,000 in medical bills and lost wages — but the at-fault driver only carries $10,000 in BI coverage — you will end up being $15,000 in the hole through no fault of your own.  However, if you carry $100,000 in UM coverage at the time of your accident, then not only will all of your bills and lost wages be paid to you, but you will also be able to recover for your pain and suffering and future expenses as well!

You absolutely, positively must NOT “assume” that everything is going to be fine in your future.  You must plan for a crisis, and you must prepare for it.  Every day we have to deliver sad news to clients who would have received significant compensation as the result of their crashes… but who ended up receiving nothing or very little because they did NOT carry UM coverage.  Please don’t be one of these people.  An accident will happen; it is only a matter of time.

Stacking uninsured motorist (UM) coverage allows policyholders to combine coverage limits from multiple policies or vehicles to increase their overall coverage in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver. Here’s a breakdown of how stacking works, its benefits, and considerations to keep in mind.

What is Stacking?

Stacking refers to the practice of adding together the uninsured motorist coverage limits from multiple policies or vehicles. For example, if you have two vehicles insured under separate policies, each with a $50,000 UM limit, stacking could potentially increase your total coverage to $100,000 for a single accident.

Can I stack my policy?

Stacking is allowed in Florida.  Choose this option when purchasing your policy. It’s essential to check your state’s regulations and your insurance policy to determine if stacking is available to you.

Benefits of Stacking UM Coverage

• Increased Protection: Stacking allows you to maximize your coverage limits, providing better financial protection in serious accidents involving uninsured drivers.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing you have higher limits can alleviate concerns about potential out-of-pocket expenses in the event of an accident.
• Flexibility: If you own multiple vehicles, stacking can be a cost-effective way to ensure adequate coverage across all of them.

Limitations and Considerations

• Costs: Stacking may increase your insurance premiums. It’s important to weigh the added cost against the potential benefits.
• Regulations: Since stacking is not permitted in all states, make sure you understand your local laws. Some states may allow limited stacking or have specific requirements.
• Policy Specifics: Check your insurance policy for any limitations or conditions related to stacking. Not all insurers offer this option, even in Florida where it is legal.

How to Stack your Coverage

1. Review your policy: Check your current auto insurance policies to see if stacking is an option and understand the limits.
2. Consult your Insurance Agent:  Discuss your coverage needs with your agent to determine if stacking makes sense for your situation.
3. Choose the right limits for you: If you opt for stacking, ensure that your limits provide adequate coverage without being prohibitively expensive.

Stacking and Other Coverages

In some cases, you may also be able to stack other types of coverage, such as underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. This can provide additional protection if you’re involved in an accident with a driver whose insurance is insufficient to cover your damages.

• Contact Emergency Services: Health and safety should be the number one priority after any accident. Calling 911 allows you to report the accident and request medical assistance. Even if an accident is minor, reporting it to the police provides valuable information that could help potential law suits. Law enforcement will make a determination on who is at fault, interview witnesses, and write a thorough report about the details of a crash.

• Remain at the scene: Leaving the scene of an accident is referred to as a hit-and-run and is a serious crime- especially if injury or death occurred. Ensure you stay at the scene until law enforcement says you are free to go to avoid potential fines or even jail time.

• Document the Scene: After an accident it is important to take detailed pictures and videos of the scene. Make sure to capture both property damage and physical injuries. While a description of the accident or a police report is helpful- photos will show a jury just how damaging an accident truly was. Photos can also help prove negligence, or fault. For example, if a crash occurred at night due to inoperable headlights having a photo will help prove our case.

• Exchange Information: Get the other drivers details including insurance information, first and last name, phone numbers, driver’s license, and license plate. This is important information your personal injury attorney and car insurance provider will need to know.

• Contact your Insurance Provider: Talk to your insurance company after the accident regardless of whether you intend to seek compensation. In most states, insurance companies require you to report accidents as soon as they occur. Do not trust an at fault driver to privately pay for any medical bills or vehicle repairs.

• Seek Medical Treatment: If in the days after an accident you experience pain or discomfort, seek medical treatment to rule out more serious injuries. In most cases, you ONLY have 14 days after an accident to seek treatment and then claim damages. DON’T WAIT!

• Call Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhy: If you are hit by an uninsured motorist, contact the law offices of Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay for a free consultation. We will pair you with one of our attorneys who specialize in uninsured motorist accidents and can offer advice on your case. Hire the uninsured motorist accident experts. When it comes to uninsured motorist accidents in Florida or Georgia, nobody will fight harder for you than Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay…Personal Injury Law is ALL WE DO!

Hopefully your accident won’t happen for many years, but when it does, please call us at (850) 422-7773 and let us help you get the compensation that you deserve.  If you have followed our suggestion and purchased UM coverage, then you can rest assured that our attorneys will be able to help you during your time of crisis.

When it comes to uninsured motorist auto accidents, Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay, has the experience, knowledge, and expertise to represent you in an auto accident personal injury claim. We have represented thousands of victims in Florida and Georgia and are dedicated to helping auto accident victims get the compensation they deserve.