If I have health insurance, do I need uninsured motorist coverage?

With many different types of insurance coverage available, people often have questions about which types are the ones that they need and how insurance coverages can overlap at times. Uninsured motorist coverage provides protection financially when it comes to certain expenses after an accident. This can include protection in terms of medical bills. Do you need uninsured motorist coverage if you already have a health insurance policy? This article will explain all you need to know about how uninsured motorist coverage works, as well as whether or not you need this type of insurance plan if you already have a health coverage policy.

How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work?

Many people are surprised to find out that around one in seven drivers in the United States does not have an automobile insurance policy. Some states have higher rates of uninsured drivers than others, coming in at as high as 1 to 5. If you are involved in a collision with another driver, there is a chance that they have no insurance policy to help cover the expenses. Uninsured motorist coverage provides financial protection by covering certain costs after a person who has the policy has a collision with an uninsured driver. If the other driver was both at fault and had no insurance plan, you cannot make a claim with the other driver's insurance provider, because there is no company providing insurance to them.

The driver is still personally liable for any damages caused by accidents of this type, but many people who do not have automobile insurance do not have enough assets to pay for medical expenses and property expenses that you incur, even if you sue them. It may be impossible to claim the compensation you need to pay for your losses, but if the other driver has only a tiny sliver of the amounts of money it costs to pay the medical bills you have, you are never going to be able to get the amount you are fully owed.

This is where uninsured motorist coverage comes in. If the other driver has no insurance plan, your uninsured motorist coverage will cover some or all of these expenses. It can cover expenses like vehicle repair costs, lost wages, medical expenses, and in some cases, other things as well.

How Health Insurance And Uninsured Motorists Coverage Work Together In A Car Accident.

There are multiple types of uninsured motorist car coverage, including Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage and Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage. The first of these covers a person’s medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that are incurred by drivers and passengers who are involved in a collision with an uninsured driver who was at fault. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage covers the expenses associated with preparing any property, including a vehicle that is damaged by an uninsured motorist who is deemed to be at fault.

Some states do require uninsured motorist coverage, while others do not. Keep in mind that uninsured motorist coverage pays for some things that health insurance will not generally pay for. This includes payments for lost wages and payments for pain-and-suffering. That said, there are overlaps that both medical insurance and uninsured motorist coverage can cover, such as medical bills that are the result of an automobile accident, and you will have to pick one policy to make the claim on. Keep in mind that health insurance plans may not cover all of the costs that stem from an accident, and you may need to research to see which of your policies, the health insurance or the uninsured motorist coverage, is best for paying for your particular situation. In some cases, you can claim different things on each policy. It may make sense to talk to a personal injury attorney about your options in these matters and to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

What If You Cannot Afford Ongoing Health Insurance Co-Pays? Uninsured Motorist Coverage Can Help

If you cannot afford ongoing co-pays from your health insurance plan that stem from an accident, your uninsured motorist coverage can often protect you financially. Co-pays do add up over time, and uninsured motorist coverage can help make sure you do not have to pay for all of these costly physical therapy sessions and other appointments out-of-pocket. You may need to get MRIs and other procedures to treat your injury. Uninsured motorist coverage can be a godsend when these expenses arise due to a car crash.

Some Doctors On Health Insurance Plans Refuse To See Patients For Car Accident Claims

Also, take note that some doctors on health insurance plans refuse to take on automobile accident victims because they do not want to be asked to testify or be involved in a court case. People who have uninsured motorist coverage can face similar conflicts overall, though car insurance providers may be less likely to challenge auto accident claims, and health insurance providers may be less likely to challenge medical bills that are not related to car crashes.

How Do I Get Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

People should get free quotes on car insurance policies from Policy. On this website, you get the tools to compare car insurance prices from multiple companies and find the best rates. Keep in mind that if you are adding on car insurance, are purchasing additional car insurance, or have had a significant life event such as a marriage, child, or a move, getting additional quotes for automobile insurance can save you a lot of money.