Types of UM Insurance Coverage for Treasure Coast Drivers
One of the most important types of auto insurance coverage a Treasure Coast driver can have is Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance coverage. According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), Florida has one of the highest percentages of uninsured drivers in the U.S. What’s surprising is, many people still choose to drive without UM coverage – and rightfully so, since Florida law does not require drivers to carry this type of coverage.
What is UM Coverage?
UM coverage is the portion of an auto insurance policy that provides protection in the event you are involved in a car accident with someone who either doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t carry enough insurance to cover the cost of your injuries. Basically, UM insurance coverage prevents you from reaching in your pocket to pay for car accidents you did not cause. With UM coverage, the following can be covered:
- Loss of the future enjoyment of life
- Lost wages and disability
- Pain and suffering
- Death
- A portion of medical bills
UM insurance coverage is not a one size fits all type of coverage, which can be confusing for drivers. Let’s review the two types of UM coverage.
UM Coverage Types: Non-Stacked and Stacked
There are two different UM coverage types you have the option of choosing when purchasing an auto insurance policy — non-stacked and stacked. There are differences in each type, which we will discuss below.
- Non-stacked UM Coverage
Non-stacked UM coverage is cheap. Much cheaper than the stacked coverage which we’ll talk about next. With non-stacked UM coverage, the injuries you sustain in vehicles you own but not listed on the policy are not covered.
When opting for non-stacked UM coverage, please understand that non-stacked UM coverage only covers injuries you sustain while occupying the car listed on the policy, but it can limit injuries occurring in other vehicles, even if you own them.
- Stacked UM Coverage
This type of coverage is more expensive but it provides better coverage and benefits. With stacked UM coverage, you can combine – or stack – UM coverage for more than one car.
For example, if you own two vehicles and have $50,000 worth of UM coverage per vehicle, two cars can be stacked for a total of $100,000 worth of coverage for an accident involving one car. Stacked UM coverage can also be combined if you carry separate auto insurance policies for different vehicles.
It’s safe to say that stacked UM coverage will cover you while riding in any vehicle. Whether you’re driving someone else’s car or are a passenger in someone’s car, the stacked coverage will still cover you. It even covers you when you are a pedestrian or riding a bike.
To Stack or Not to Stack?
The choice whether to stack or not to stack is yours. As an advocate for the people with a commitment to protecting the rights and interests of the members of Martin, Saint Lucie counties and other communities of the Treasure Coast, we work to make sure you understand and are aware of your options in this area of the law and we invite you to contact us for any concerns you have surrounding UM insurance coverage.
Recently Involved in an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist? Contact a Knowledgeable Personal Injury Attorney
If you are injured in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact Sholtes Law, PLLC. Andrew Sholtes is an experienced Fort Pierce personal injury attorney serving St. Lucie and Martin County who will work with you to understand the subtleties of your case and develop a legal strategy designed to achieve real results. Call 855-534-2509 for a free consultation.
Resource:
flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2018/627.727
