Louisiana uses a fault-based system for car accident claims. Therefore, purchasing the right insurance coverage is essential to protect yourself in the event of a car accident. In addition to required liability insurance, you may also want to consider other insurance coverage, including uninsured motorist coverage.
What Are the Requirements for Car Insurance in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires every driver to purchase and maintain a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage. The requirements for this coverage are:
- Liability Coverage for Bodily Injury – $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident
- Liability Coverage for Property Damage – $25,000 per accident
Liability insurance pays accident victims when an insured causes an accident covered by the insurance policy. The insurance company is only liable for damages up to the policy limits. The at-fault driver could be personally liable for damages exceeding the policy limit.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage in Louisiana
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is not required in Louisiana. It is an optional insurance coverage you may purchase when purchasing liability insurance. Under specific circumstances, your insurance provider stands in “the shoes of” an at-fault driver.
Your UM coverage protects you if an uninsured driver causes an accident. It also applies to hit-and-run accidents. Uninsured motorist insurance can help pay for your financial losses. Your UM coverage may also compensate you for pain and suffering.
You have the burden of proving that the other driver caused the accident to receive a settlement from your insurance company. You must also prove the accident caused your injuries and the extent of your damages for a claim.
Pros and Cons of Purchasing Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Louisiana
As with most insurance policies, there are benefits to purchasing the insurance policy. There are also some drawbacks, but usually, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Benefits of Uninsured Motorist Insurance
Including UM coverage in your car insurance policy has several benefits, including but not limited to:
Comprehensive Coverage of Damages
UM insurance includes both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, diminished earning capacity, past and future lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses. However, you are not limited to recovering financial losses.
Uninsured motorist coverage includes non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. It also includes permanent impairment and loss of enjoyment of life.
Peace of Mind and Financial Protection
When another driver causes an accident, you expect to file a claim against their insurance provider to recover your losses. However, if the person does not have liability insurance or they flee the accident scene, you are left with all the bills. Uninsured motorist coverage gives you peace of mind that you will not be stuck paying for someone else’s negligence.
Claim Processing
Depending on your insurance company, filing a claim under your policy could be easier than dealing with another driver’s insurance provider. It is not always true, but at least you are familiar with the company before you begin your claim.
Drawbacks of Uninsured Motorist Insurance
UM coverage does not guarantee that everything will go smoothly if you file a claim. Some drawbacks include:
Cost of Coverage
You must pay an additional cost to purchase uninsured motorist coverage. Depending on the circumstances, increasing insurance costs could be a financial hardship. However, it is worth exploring because UM usually costs much less than liability insurance and is worth the expense when you weigh it against the potential benefits of having UM coverage.
Claim Disputes
Even though you are filing a claim with your insurance provider, it does not mean the claim will be approved. You must prove that the car accident was caused by the other driver’s conduct. You must also prove the crash caused you to sustain injuries and incur damages.
The insurance adjuster assigned to your case may deny your claim. They may fight your claim by shifting some of the fault to you to reduce the damages under contributory fault. Therefore, you may want to hire a car accident lawyer to help with an uninsured motorist claim.
Learn More About Lafayette Car Accidents During a Free Consultation
An uninsured motorist claim could provide much-needed compensation after an accident. However, you may need to fight for the compensation you deserve. If so, an experienced accident attorney can help.
Call Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with one of our Lafayette personal injury lawyers to discuss your legal options after a car crash.
Contact a Baton Rouge, LA Car Accident Lawyer from Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Baton Rouge, LA today. We have three convenient locations in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette.
We proudly serve East Baton Rouge Parish, Lafayette Parish, Orleans Parish, and its surrounding areas:
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Baton Rouge Office
404 Europe Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70124
(225) 263-4787
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – New Orleans Office
318 Harrison Avenue Suite 107
New Orleans, Louisiana, 70802
(504) 294-3804
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Lafayette Office
1318 Camellia Boulevard Suite 206
Lafayette, Louisiana, 70508
(337) 473-2991