Why You Should Consider Getting UIM Insurance in Illinois

In Illinois, a driver is required to carry auto liability insurance for providing compensation to people who are injured because of their negligence. Despite of this fact, many drivers either have no insurance or inadequate insurance to cover for the damages that they have caused to others in an auto accident. If you are involved in an accident with such a driver, you would wish to have an insurance of your own to make a claim and get full coverage for your damages.

What is Underinsured Motorist Insurance?

Underinsured Motorist(UIM) insurance coverage provides protection to drivers when they are in an accident with an at-fault driver, but one that does not have adequate or sufficient amount of insurance coverage to pay for your injuries and property damages. For example, if your injuries from an accident are so severe and expensive to treat that they are not fully covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance, you can make a claim on your UIM insurance to get compensated for the outstanding amount.

Should You Buy UIM Insurance?

Some states make it mandatory for drivers to carry a minimum UIM insurance, however, in Illinois, you are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage, not UIM insurance. But it is important for you to think ahead and consider your financial safety, especially if you live in an area with high rates of underinsured drivers. You can think of UIM insurance in this way: you invest in auto liability insurance to provide protection to other drivers – with UIM coverage, you are protecting yourself from the negligent actions of other drivers.

How Much UIM Insurance You Should Get

Just like any other type of insurance, UIM coverage amounts differ. People can opt for an insurance policy that provides sufficient coverage for it to be financially practical and advantageous if an auto accident does happen. While you can choose from low to high amount of coverage, it is important for you to take into account the expenses you would incur if involved in a fatal, life-threatening vehicle crash where the other driver may not carry enough coverage to pay for all of your damages. It may require some calculations and guesswork for you to reach a coverage amount that you believe would be sufficient in such a situation.

Getting Legal Representation in Uninsured Driver Accidents in Illinois

Insurance companies conduct comprehensive investigations before they can approve an insurance claim. Some of them may even come up with reasons to deny a perfectly acceptable claim or reduce the amount you should otherwise get for your damages. In such a situation, you may want to get legal assistance of an experienced UIM attorney in Illinois who can help you file a claim against your insurance provider. This may create a conflict of interest between the insurer and the insured, but your attorney will be able to effectively litigate the case if it cannot be settled through negotiations.

Contact Fisk & Monteleone Ltd. today at 815-209-9030 to schedule a free case consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.