What would you do if you were injured in a hit-and-run accident? If you’re a Kansas driver, you should already have uninsured motorist coverage as part of your auto insurance policy. But that doesn’t mean you know exactly what the coverage is for! Insurance terms can be confusing, and if you simply purchased the first policy you found online, you may be unsure what each of your additional coverages does to help protect you and your vehicle. There’s also a chance that you simply went with the minimum state requirements when you initially purchased your policy. But based on your needs, you may want to make adjustments to your policy limits. Keep reading to learn more about uninsured motorist insurance and the benefits of investing in a comprehensive car insurance policy.
What is Uninsured Motorist Insurance?
To legally drive in Kansas, there are a few required additional insurance coverages that you must have included in your policy. These are:
- Bodily Injury
- Property Damage
- Personal Injury Protection
- And Uninsured Motorist Coverage
While the first 3 additional insurance coverages are self-explanatory, many people get confused when it comes to uninsured motorist insurance. The most common misconception surrounding Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM) and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage are that they are for protecting other people and not yourself. But your Bodily Injury (BI) and Property Damage (PD) coverages actually help to pay for another driver’s damages if you are at fault for the accident.
On the other hand, UM, UIM, and UMPD are an important part of your policy because they work to pay for your losses if another person is at fault for the accident, but they either have no insurance or not enough insurance to cover the cost of your damages. Uninsured motorist insurance protects you and your passengers if you are injured in an accident where another driver is found responsible for your injuries. Underinsured motorist insurance works to make up the difference and cover damages if the responsible driver doesn’t have adequate policy limits. And finally, uninsured motorist property damage insurance helps to pay for damages caused to your vehicle in an accident where the other driver is at fault.
Personal Injury Protection in Kansas
Kansas is a “no-fault” state. This means that if you are injured in a car accident, your auto insurance provider will cover the cost of some or all of your medical bills and lost wages—regardless of who was at fault for the accident. In Kansas, this type of claim must be made through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Kansas drivers also have the option to purchase additional PIP coverage that will increase the coverage amounts of certain benefits such as medical rehabilitation or loss of income benefits. However, these options can vary greatly between different insurance providers.
Purchasing insurance in a no-fault state also means that because you automatically have access to PIP benefits, you are limited in how you can collect pain and suffering compensation following an auto accident. However, there are certain severity thresholds —such as permanent injuries, loss of a limb, and even death— that may exempt you from this restriction, leaving you free to seek damages for pain and suffering.
Contact Integrity Insurance Agency Today
Have questions about your current auto insurance policy and UM or PIP coverages? Or are you interested in making sure your additional coverages are high enough to meet your needs? At Integrity Insurance Agency, we’re always here to help. Contact our friendly independent agents for more information and be sure to request a free quote today!
