Louisiana Uninsured Motorist Coverage
In severe Louisiana car accidents, the cost of property damage, medical treatment, and lost wages can add up quickly. These costs can potentially bankrupt car accident victims.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage protects Louisiana drivers by paying for expenses when an at-fault uninsured or underinsured driver cannot cover the full costs.
If you have been injured in a Louisiana car accident, contact our New Orleans car accident lawyer at 866-558-9151 to discuss your legal options.
What is Louisiana Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist?
Under Louisiana law, uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage are types of car insurance that provide protection when you are involved in an accident with a driver who either does not have any insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the damages caused.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM): This coverage applies when you are in an accident with a driver who has no auto insurance at all. It also covers hit-and-run accidents where the other driver is not identified. UM coverage can pay for your medical expenses, property damage (if included), and other related costs.
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM): This coverage steps in when the other driver has insurance, but their policy limits are not sufficient to cover all of your expenses related to the accident. UIM coverage can cover the shortfall up to the limits of your policy.
Will My Rates Increase or Can I Be Cancelled for Making a Louisiana Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist Claim?
In Louisiana, insurance companies are required by law to include UM/UIM coverage in every auto policy they issue, unless the policyholder specifically chooses to reject this coverage in writing. This ensures that drivers have the option to protect themselves against losses caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.
Insurers are prohibited from raising rates, adding or increasing surcharges, cancelling, or not renewing motor vehicle insurance policies if these actions are due to one or more incidents where the driver was not at fault.
Specifically, La R.S.22:1284. Motor vehicle insurance; consideration of nonfault incidents prohibited, provides
- No insurer shall increase the rate, increase or add a surcharge, cancel, or fail to renew any policy of motor vehicle insurance when such action is based on consideration of one or more nonfault incidents.
- In this Section, “nonfault incident” means an accident, collision, or other incident involving a vehicle covered by a policy issued by the insurer in which the driver of the insured vehicle was not at fault, regardless of whether the incident was reported to any law enforcement agency.
Contact an Experienced New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer Near You
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another persons negligence, you are legally entitled to compensation for your injuries. At Lavis Law Firm New Orleans Personal Injury and Accident Attorney, we understand accidents involving uninsured drivers can leave victims without the funds they need for medical treatment. Contact our New Orleans car accident lawyer today at 866-558-9151.