Partner at Charbonnet Law Firm LLC
Practice Areas: Car Accident, Personal Injury
A serious crash can create expenses that go far beyond vehicle repairs. Medical bills, lost income, and long-term injuries can quickly become difficult to manage. The problem is that the driver who caused the crash may not have enough insurance to cover those losses. Some drivers have no insurance at all, while others only carry the minimum coverage required by law.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, also called UM/UIM coverage, helps protect you in these situations by providing another source of compensation when the at-fault driver cannot fully pay for the damage they caused.
If you are dealing with an uninsured or underinsured driver after a crash, a New Orleans car accident attorney can help you understand how UM/UIM coverage may apply to your claim.
Liability insurance is the basic auto insurance coverage required for Louisiana drivers. It pays for injuries and property damage you cause to another person in an accident.
Louisiana’s minimum liability limits include:
| Coverage | Minimum Amount |
| Bodily injury per person | $15,000 |
| Bodily injury per accident | $30,000 |
This coverage protects other people when you cause a crash. It does not pay for your own injuries when another driver is responsible.
For example, if another driver causes a serious accident but has only minimum insurance, their policy may not cover all your medical bills or lost income.
UM/UIM coverage applies when the driver who caused the crash does not have enough insurance to cover your losses. Louisiana law provides rules for uninsured motorist coverage under Louisiana Revised Statute §22:1295. In many cases, this coverage is included unless the insured rejects it or chooses different limits according to the required process.
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver:
This coverage may help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related losses.
Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the other driver has insurance, but their policy does not cover the full amount of your damages.
For example, if your injuries result in $75,000 in losses and the other driver only has $15,000 in bodily injury coverage, your UM/UIM policy may help cover the remaining amount, depending on your policy limits.
The exact benefits depend on your policy, but UM/UIM coverage may help with:
Many drivers assume the other person’s insurance will cover everything after an accident. However, serious injuries can quickly exceed minimum policy limits.
Learn more about the types of losses that may be included in a claim through this guide on insurance coverage limits.
Louisiana insurance companies must offer UM/UIM coverage, but drivers can reject it in writing or choose lower limits.
Choosing less coverage may lower your insurance cost, but it also means you may have fewer options after an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Before making that decision, consider the possible cost of a serious crash. Medical care, missed work, and long-term injuries can create expenses that far exceed minimum insurance limits.
TheLouisiana Department of Insurance provides information about auto insurance rules and consumer protections.
Many drivers worry that using UM/UIM coverage will increase their insurance rates. Filing a UM/UIM claim does not mean you caused the accident. The circumstances of the crash and your insurance policy will determine how the claim is handled.
If you disagree with the insurance company, reviewing your policy and claim details can help you understand your rights.
The steps you take after a crash can affect your claim.
Taking these steps early can make it easier to show what happened and support your claim.
No single coverage amount works for every driver. The right choice depends on factors such as your income, assets, and the financial impact a serious accident could have on your life.
When choosing coverage, think about:
Many drivers choose UM/UIM limits that match or exceed their liability coverage because a serious accident can create losses much higher than the minimum required insurance.
A UM/UIM claim is made through your own insurance policy, but that does not always make the process simple. Insurance companies may review the accident, your injuries, and the value of your claim before deciding what they will pay.
A personal injury attorney can help by:
You can also learn more about how attorneys handle claims that go beyond insurance policy limits.
Uninsured motorist coverage helps when the driver responsible for your accident has no insurance or cannot be identified after a crash.
Underinsured motorist coverage applies when another driver has insurance, but their policy does not cover the full amount of your accident losses.
Health insurance may help with medical bills, but it does not replace lost wages or other accident-related losses. UM/UIM coverage may provide additional support.
Making a UM claim does not mean you caused the accident. Louisiana law provides protections for drivers who use this coverage after being injured by another motorist.
Some claims settle quickly, while others take longer. The timing depends on the injuries, evidence, policy limits, and whether there is a dispute with the insurer.
Minimum insurance coverage may not be enough after a serious crash. UM/UIM coverage gives Louisiana drivers another option when the at-fault driver cannot fully pay for the damage they caused.
If you have questions about an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim, Charbonnet Law Firm can help you understand your coverage, deal with insurance issues, and protect your rights after an accident.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
With over 50 years of legal experience serving families in the New Orleans area and surrounding Louisiana communities, our firm takes pride in providing clients with personalized legal services tailored to individual needs.
