May 17, 2021

The Importance of UM/UIM Insurance in Texas

Car accidents can be expensive. In many cases, victims are left with thousands of dollars in repair bills, medical expenses, and other economic and non-economic losses. These potential costs are exactly why the state of Texas requires people to maintain liability insurance.

Unfortunately, not everyone does, and every year people are involved in accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers. In fact, according to WalletHub, about 14 percent of people on the road in Texas do not carry car insurance at all.

Fortunately, your own insurer is required to offer you uninsured or underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage. This kind of coverage will pay for your accident-related losses in the event that you are hurt by an uninsured driver, or the other party’s insurance coverage doesn’t cover your losses. In fact, Texas drivers are required to reject UM/UIM coverage in writing, so it’s likely that you have it unless you specifically opted out.

Do You Need a Lawyer if You are Making a UClick here

M/UIM Claim?

Many people wonder whether they need an attorney to handle a UM/UIM claim with their own insurance company. After all, if you are dealing with your own insurer, should they be on your side and want to provide you with the benefits that you so dutifully pay for every month?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is typically “no.” Insurance companies are invariably out to make money, and they do so by paying out as little as possible on every claim they receive. Thankfully, a lawyer can ensure that your insurance company treats you fairly and fulfill their contractual agreement to cover losses caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers. Some of the ways that a lawyer can help you include:

Determining whether your insurance is required to cover your accident-related losses
Preparing the paperwork and filing your claim
Communicating with the insurance company on your behalf
Providing the insurance company with documentation of your losses
Advising you as to whether the benefits the insurance company is offering are fair

What if Your Insurance Company Fails to Provide Coverage

In some cases, your insurance company may deny your claim or not provide you with the benefits to which you are entitled in your insurance contract. When this occurs, your lawyer can take certain steps in order to get your insurer to pay up. In most cases, this usually starts with a demand letter setting out the reasons you believe you are entitled to benefits and proof of your losses. In some cases, your lawyer may even take your insurer to court in order to force them to provide you the benefits you deserve.

The most common question that is asked by our client is "Should you I a claim on my insurance for an accident cased by someone else." Click here, to read our blog addressing this exact topic, written by Unbeaten Houston Uninsured & Underinsured Claims Lawyer Charles Sanders.

Call Us Today to Speak with a Houston Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver, it’s in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as you can. At Rose Sanders Law, we are committed to ensuring that insurance companies treat accident victims fairly. To discuss your case with a car accident lawyer in Houston, call our office today at 713-231-9288 or contact us online.