You are protected on your auto insurance policy with Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) when a driver who has no insurance collides with your vehicle. Also, generally Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) is coupled with Underinsured coverage. Underinsured motorist coverage occurs when you collide with someone who has insufficient insurance coverage to pay the total damages. Incidentally, Maine is one of several states that require uninsured/underinsured coverage for all drivers.
UM/UIM coverage has two parts. Part one is for property damage and other part is for bodily injury. Therefore, in the event your auto is damaged Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) could pay for the repairs on your vehicle. If someone hits you with Underinsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage (UIMPD) the same principle holds true. Your UIMPD could make up the difference.
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage
In the event, someone hits you, either without insurance coverage or who is underinsured you could be responsible for bodily injury costs as well. You can be on hook for medical bills for both yourself and your passenger(s). Your Uninsured Motorists Bodily Injury (UMBI) and Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UIMBI) coverage helps pay the medical bills for both.
Bodily Injury Coverage & Medical Payments Limits
Maine requires uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UM/UIM BI) and medical payments coverage with the following minimum limits:
- UM/UIM BI: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident.
- Medical payments coverage: $2,000 per person.
You also receive other benefits with UMBI and UIMBI coverage in that, unlike your health insurance, there is no deductible if you or a passenger suffer injuries. Also, if either you or your passenger do not have health coverage UMBI will give each of you some coverage. Additionally, Medical payments coverage includes costs for any doctor or hospital bills incurred after an accident up to the limits. These coverages are minimums required by the State. You may want to increase these limits upon discussing this with your insurance agent.
You can learn more about this coverage by calling your FAPCO agent.
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