How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Protects You After a Car Accident in Missouri
A motorcycle accident can leave you dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, time away from work, and…
You’ve just been in a car accident, and the driver responsible doesn’t have insurance. What you thought would be handled through two insurance companies suddenly becomes a financial problem you weren’t prepared for.
If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, does that mean you’re stuck paying for everything yourself?
Not necessarily. Missouri has protections in place for situations like this, but they only work if you understand how they work. One of the most important solutions is uninsured motorist (UM) coverage – a part of your own auto insurance policy that may cover eligible bodily injury losses when the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance.
Knowing how this coverage works can make all the difference in what happens next.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Missouri?
When the driver who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may allow you to recover eligible injury losses through your own policy. Instead of relying solely on the at-fault driver’s coverage, you may be able to file a claim through your own policy for eligible bodily injury losses.
How Much Auto Insurance Does Missouri Require
Missouri requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 for property damage, as required under Missouri Revised Statutes § 303.190.
Auto insurance policies also include uninsured motorist (UM) bodily injury coverage with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. While these are the minimum requirements, many drivers choose higher coverage limits for added financial protection.
Why Your UM Coverage Limit Is Important
Your UM coverage is as valuable as the limit you’ve chosen. If your injuries result in $75,000 in medical expenses and other damages, but your policy provides only $25,000 in UM coverage, you’ll likely have a significant shortfall. That’s why reviewing your policy before an accident can be just as important as understanding it afterward.
UM coverage is designed to help pay for losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other injury-related damages covered under your policy.
When Can You Use UM Coverage
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply in several situations; it could be when:
- The at-fault driver has no auto insurance.
- The at-fault driver’s insurance company is insolvent and cannot pay your claim.
- You’re injured in a qualifying hit-and-run accident where the driver cannot be identified.
- One important thing to remember is that UM coverage generally does not pay for repairs to your vehicle. If an uninsured driver damages your car, you may need to rely on collision coverage or explore other legal options to recover those costs.
What Happens When You File a UM Claim
Filing an uninsured motorist (UM) claim is different from a typical insurance claim. Instead of pursuing compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurer, you’ll be working with your insurance company.
Step 1: Document the crash
Even though you’re filing a claim through your own insurance, you’ll still need to show how the crash happened. Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries if possible. If there were witnesses, collect their contact information to help support your claim.
Step 2: Get the accident report
Report the crash to law enforcement and request a copy of the official accident report; this report helps confirm key details. If the crash occurred in the city, an accident report from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department can be especially useful for your UM claim.
Step3: Get medical care
Even if your injuries don’t seem serious at first, get checked by a doctor. Medical records help connect your injuries directly to the accident, which is a key part of any uninsured motorist claim.
Step 4: Notify your insurer
Let your insurance company know as soon as you can that you may be filing a UM claim. They will likely ask for basic details about the crash and may request documents like the police report or medical records.
Step 5: Build your claim
Keep all records related to your injury in one place, including medical bills and treatment summaries. Your insurer will use this information to evaluate your claim and decide what compensation is available under your UM coverage.
What Will Your Insurance Company Look At
Even though you’re making a claim against your own insurer, that doesn’t mean your claim will be automatically approved and paid.
As with any other insurance claim, they’ll want to verify that your UM claim meets your policy’s requirements. Including:
- Fault for the accident and the evidence supporting your claim.
- The other driver’s uninsured status and your eligibility for UM coverage.
- Whether your injuries and medical records link them to the accident.
- Whether your policy terms and UM coverage limits affect available compensation.
What Happens If Your Insurer Disputes Your Claim
Finding out that your own insurance company is trying to deny your claim can be tough. You can take the time to understand why the claim is being challenged and whether additional evidence could strengthen your case. Medical records, accident documentation, and clear communication can often help move the process forward.
If the insurer continues to dispute your uninsured motorist claim or offers less than your injuries warrant. A car accident lawyer in St. Louis can review your policy, investigate the crash, and determine what options you may have for pursuing the compensation available under your coverage.
FAQs
First, find out why the insurance company rejected your claim. Ask for the reason in writing and keep a copy of the denial. Sometimes the insurer may say there is not enough evidence, that their driver was not responsible, or that your injuries are not covered.
Do not rush to accept the denial or sign anything just because the insurance company says no. You may be able to provide additional evidence, challenge the decision, or take legal action. If the claim involves serious injuries or a large amount of money, speaking with a car accident attorney can help you understand what to do next.
A police report can be an important piece of evidence after a crash.It may include the officers’ observations, statements from the drivers and witnesses, information about the vehicles, road conditions, and whether anyone received a citation. Insurance companies may review this report when deciding how to handle a claim.
But there is something important to remember: a police report does not automatically decide who is legally at fault. Other evidence can matter too, including photos, video footage, medical records, witness statements, and damage to the vehicles.
Start with the evidence from the scene.Photos of the vehicles and road can show what happened. Traffic camera or dashcam footage may tell an even clearer story. Witnesses can also help if they saw the crash happen.
Then there are the records that come after the accident. The police report, medical records, vehicle damage estimates, and other documents can help connect the accident to your injuries and losses.
The key is putting all of these pieces together. You generally need to show that the other driver acted carelessly or broke a traffic rule and that their actions caused your injuries or damage.
If you get hit by a driver who has no insurance. You are injured, your car is damaged, and there is no insurance company on the other side to pay for those losses.
That is where uninsured motorist coverage can help.
It is coverage on your own auto insurance policy that may help pay for certain losses when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Depending on your policy, it may cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages after an accident.
Whether you need it depends on your situation and the coverage available under your policy. It can be especially useful because not every driver on the road carries enough insurance, or any insurance at all.
You may need to file the claim with your own insurance company.
Check your policy first to see whether you have uninsured motorist coverage. Then report the accident and provide the information you have, such as the police report, photos, medical records, witness details, and information about the other driver.
Your insurance company will investigate the accident and determine whether your policy provides coverage.Keep copies of everything you send them. Also, be careful when giving statements or accepting a settlement. If you suffered serious injuries, an attorney can review your policy and help you understand whether the settlement being offered actually covers your losses.
