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Georgia is an at-fault state. That means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for covering your damages. Simple enough, until the at-fault driver has no insurance at all, or not nearly enough to pay for what you’ve lost. That’s where uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage steps in. It’s your own policy protecting you when someone else’s doesn’t.
These two types of coverage are related but not identical. Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver carries no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but the policy limits fall short of your actual losses.
Georgia requires drivers to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage, according to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. If your medical bills alone surpass that amount, your UIM policy can cover the gap.
Georgia law gives drivers two options when selecting UM coverage: add-on and reduced-by.
Add-on coverage is generally the stronger option for injured drivers, though it usually costs more per month. When injuries are serious, and bills add up fast, that difference in coverage structure matters.
Depending on your policy terms and the facts of your accident, UM and UIM coverage can apply to:
Every claim is different. What’s available to you depends on the specifics of your situation and how your policy is written.
Georgia insurers are required to offer UM coverage, but drivers can reject it in writing. Many do so to cut their monthly premiums. That decision can carry serious consequences.
If an uninsured driver causes a serious accident, your options without UM coverage narrow quickly. You could pursue the at-fault driver directly through a lawsuit, but collecting on a judgment against someone with no assets and no insurance is rarely practical.
Your own insurance company may dispute the severity of your injuries or argue that your claimed damages exceed what the policy should cover. That can be frustrating, especially when you’re already dealing with the aftermath of an accident.
A Savannah personal injury lawyer can help you document your losses thoroughly and push back when your insurer undervalues the claim. Your insurer has a financial interest in minimizing payouts, even on UM claims filed by their own policyholders.
Pull up your declarations page and look for “uninsured motorist” or “underinsured motorist” in the list of coverages. If it’s not there, contact your insurance agent about adding it. The time to find out you don’t have UM coverage is not the day after an accident.
Chattahoochee Injury Law represents injury victims throughout Georgia who are dealing with exactly these situations, whether the at-fault driver had no insurance or not enough of it.
If you’ve been hurt by an uninsured or underinsured driver, a Savannah personal injury lawyer can review your policy, identify what coverage may apply to your situation, and help you pursue the compensation you’re owed. Contact our team to go over your options.
