Do I Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage in South Carolina?
Motorists in Columbia, South Carolina face several hazards on the roads each day. We contend with distracted drivers, drunk drivers, crumbling roads, and other dangerous conditions that can result in serious accidents or even death. One of the biggest risk factors for South Carolina drivers is getting entangled with someone who has either too little or no insurance coverage at all.
When you are in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, your ability to collect for damages becomes complicated. One of the best ways that you can protect yourself from these events is to carry uninsured motorist coverage. Here is what you need to know about uninsured motorist coverage in South Carolina and what happens if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver.
South Carolina Auto Insurance Rules
South Carolina law requires that all drivers carry a certain level of auto insurance coverage. As a driver in this state, you are supposed to have several types of coverages at some minimum limits. These include:
- Bodily Injury Coverage: Minimum of $25,000 per person, per accident.
- Bodily Injury Coverage: $50,000 total coverage per accident.
- Property Damage: Minimum $25,000 per accident.
Also, all drivers are required to carry some form of uninsured motorist coverage, generally equal to the minimum amounts of your liability coverage, such as 25/50/25.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage in South Carolina provides protection for you in the event that someone else decides not to follow the law and purchase auto insurance. The coverage will pay up to the policy limits if you are in an accident with an uninsured driver or if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident.
Accidents With Uninsured Motorists in South Carolina
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), about 7.7% of all South Carolina drivers are making their way around the state completely uninsured. While this is one of the lower rates in the U.S., it’s still a problem if you’re in an accident with an uninsured motorist. Fortunately, this valuable protection will help if you are injured or have property damage.
Underinsured motorist coverage is a bit different. If you are involved in a serious auto accident with someone else that only has minimum limits on their policy, and that other party was at fault, there may not be enough coverage to pay for your damages. This is where underinsured motorists coverage might pay. Auto insurers in South Carolina are required to offer you this coverage, but you don’t have to carry it.
Recovering From Your Own Insurance Company
Even when you have the right coverage in place, getting a large insurance company to pay when you have an accident can be a chore. Yes, we’re talking about your own insurance company, which makes having to deal with red tape and claim denials even more frustrating.
Your insurance company is supposed to look out for your best interests, but the truth is that they will put their profits before your health and wellbeing most days of the week. This is why it’s just as important to have a trusted and experienced South Carolina auto accident attorney on your side from the start.
If you need to file an uninsured motorist claim in South Carolina, it’s important that you are prepared and remain persistent. A few of the things that you’ll need to do include:
- Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. If you wait too long, the insurer may use this as a reason to deny your claim.
- Document everything about the accident, including damage, any injuries, and witness information.
- Be prepared to explain the incident to the insurance company, but use caution. Avoid giving recorded statement until you first discuss your case with a knowledgeable accident attorney. Insurance adjusters are well-trained at getting accident victims to admit potential fault.
- Also, avoid discussing settlement with an insurance company before consulting an attorney. If you are offered a quick settlement, it probably means that your case is worth much more than the figure mentioned.
What many injured parties don’t realize is that settlements in the case of an uninsured motorist can go beyond policy limits for a single policy. If there is more than one driver or policy involved, coverage in South Carolina can be “stacked” until the injured parties recover a satisfactory level of compensation.
Dealing with uninsured motorist coverage in a serious accident can be a complicated matter. This is why we suggest that you contact an experienced South Carolina accident attorney to protect your rights. Call our Columbia auto accident attorney at (502) 384-7400 or toll-free at (855) 598-7425 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
