| Most drivers believe that if they have full | | | | Another common situation is being injured in an |
| coverage insurance, they are really fully covered. | | | | accident with another driver who has only the |
| With full coverage, you only have coverage for | | | | minimum coverage required by your state. |
| liability and property. These do little to protect you | | | | Although the other driver is insured, his policy |
| from others. What follows are descriptions of | | | | limits are not sufficient to cover your medical |
| three types of car insurance coverage that few | | | | expenses and lost wages. That's where UIM |
| drivers know about, but they all need. | | | | coverage comes in. |
| Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) | | | | UIM insurance provides coverage in those cases |
| Ok, you don't really have to add uninsured | | | | where the other driver�s insurance does not |
| motorist coverage - you already have it. | | | | compensate you enough for your expenses. So |
| In Missouri, for example, every insurance | | | | your insurance company pays the rest. |
| company has to give you (for a price) a minimum | | | | But here's the trick - if you really want to make |
| of | | | | sure this coverage is not worthless, you have to |
| $25,000 coverage. The problem is $25,000 is not | | | | buy a lot of coverage - at least $100,000. Like |
| enough! | | | | additional UM coverage, UIM coverage will only add |
| This type of coverage kicks in when you are | | | | a few dollars to your insurance bill. |
| injured in an accident caused by an uninsured | | | | Medical Payments Coverage (MPC) |
| driver. A common scenario is that an insured | | | | The above discussed types of coverage, UM and |
| driver suffers devastating injuries because an | | | | UIM, are only relevant in instances when the other |
| uninsured driver hit him. As a result, the insured | | | | driver is at fault. With MPC, who caused the |
| driver may run up substantial medical bills and miss | | | | accident is irrelevant. This type of coverage is |
| substantial time from work. To collect in this | | | | reimbursement for medical bills resulting from |
| situation, you would go to your insurance | | | | injuries sustained while in your car. Obtain at least |
| company, which takes the place of the guilty | | | | $5,000 in MPC. It's low cost, and it allows you to |
| driver. The good thing about this scenario is that | | | | �double dip� when another driver is at fault. |
| your insurance company will not increase your | | | | In other words, when someone else hits you, you |
| policy rates. | | | | can collect from their insurance company for your |
| UM coverage provides strong coverage for you | | | | medical bills, but you are also entitled to be |
| and your family. But you haveto raise the policy | | | | reimbursed under your MPC from your insurance |
| limits of the coverage. Tell your agent you want | | | | company for those same medical bills! |
| at least $100,000 in UM coverage. It will only add | | | | Take advantage of UM, UIM and MPC insurance |
| a few dollars to your premium. | | | | coverage to make sure you are well-covered in |
| Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) | | | | the event of a car accident. |