Do you know what to do when the other party does not have insurance?
Having a valid auto insurance cover is compulsory in most states in the United States, one of them being Texas. Despite the strict law, there are still many drivers who do not have car insurance.
As a matter of fact, a 2011 research by the Insurance Research Council found that 1 out of 7 car drivers on US roads does not have auto insurance. Another research found that one in three drivers in Texas involved in a car wreck does not have valid car insurance.
It is not unlikely that you could get in a car accident with someone who doesn’t have car insurance or whose insurance does not reach the country’s minimum set requirements. Therefore, what should you do if you ever find yourself in a car wreck with an uninsured or underinsured motorist? There are two ways to look at this:
- I was hit by a driver who does not have car insurance
- I hit a driver who does not have auto insurance
In both of these situations, the steps to take are very similar. Some common actions to take are as follows…
Get as much information about the car crash as quickly as possible
If the other driver refuses to provide their contact or insurance information and is reluctant to comply, take down as much information about the driver, their car description and its plate number, traffic lights at the time of the accident, and witnesses’ contacts.
Do not take cash from the uninsured driver
If the other driver is at fault, they may offer to pay for the damage instead of involving the police or your car insurance company. As much as it’s a compelling and faster option, taking cash instead of exchanging insurance information may not end well. There may be hidden damages to your car and even personal injury that would hike the bill on your end in future.
When you involve your insurance company, they are likely to cover all the costs due to the car wreck.
Turn to your own insurance policy (Uninsured Motorist Coverage)
It is advisable that you buy uninsured motorist coverage from your insurance carrier. Although it may not come cheap, this auto insurance comes in handy if you are in a situation where:
- You are in a car accident where the other driver was negligent or at fault
- The other driver does not have or has inadequate auto insurance coverage
- Your car insurance company is reluctant to cover the costs of repair and treatment
Your uninsured motorist coverage will ensure that the costs resulting from the car wreck (caused by an uninsured driver), are covered by your insurance company without fail, hence you are compensated.
It is crucial that you have uninsured motorist coverage because without it – and keeping in mind that the other driver may declare bankruptcy if you take them to court – you will end up having to dig into your pocket.
Inform Your Attorney
If you are involved in a car accident involving an uninsured driver, you need to build a strong case to ensure you are covered or all the damage to your vehicle as well as personal injury. You should, therefore, hire an attorney to handle your claim against your auto insurance company.
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