Accidents with uninsured and underinsured motorists are different based on whether their liability coverage will help victims recover. Read more to learn about the differences between these two policies:
Uninsured Motorist Coverage:
If the at-fault driver is uninsured, this means that they do not have any auto insurance. Missouri law requires all drivers to have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. The minimum coverage is $50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person. This means your insurance should pay for all or most of your motor vehicle expenses and injuries. Keep in mind that Missouri does not require motorists to have uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) insurance, which covers $25,000.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage:
If the driver is underinsured, this means that the driver has insurance coverage, however their policy will not cover the full cost of the injuries and damages from the accident. Unlike UM coverage, underinsured motorists (UIM) coverage is not mandatory in Missouri. UIM coverage needs to be specifically requested when purchasing your policy. If you do not have UIM coverage, you will only be able to claim the amount covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance.