Maryland Underinsured Motorist Coverage
When you're injured in a car accident, the last thing you want to worry about is whether the at-fault driver has enough insurance to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think. In Maryland, drivers are required to carry minimum amounts of liability insurance, but many times, these limits aren’t enough to cover the damage they've caused. That's where underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage comes in.
Why Underinsured Motorist Coverage Matters
Underinsured motorist coverage exists for the unfortunate situations when the at-fault driver's insurance falls short. Maryland law requires that drivers carry liability insurance, but the minimum limits are shockingly low—just $30,000 per person for bodily injury. That might sound like a lot, but medical bills alone can easily exceed that amount in a serious accident. If you're out of work for an extended period, your financial losses can quickly snowball.
With the recent Maryland UM/UIM law, you might have more flexibility in what’s covered, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods just yet.
How Underinsured Motorist Coverage Works
Let’s break it down with a simple example. Say you’re in a car accident where the at-fault driver has $100,000 in liability insurance, but your damages total $400,000. If you have underinsured motorist coverage of $500,000, your own insurance will step in to cover the remaining $300,000. The at-fault driver’s insurance pays its $100,000 limit, and your insurance covers the rest, up to your policy limits.
This additional layer of protection is critical for making sure you’re not left holding the bag when another driver doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for the harm they’ve caused. Maryland law mandates that your UIM coverage mirrors your liability coverage, meaning that whatever limits you carry to protect other drivers also apply to your underinsured motorist protection. So, if you have $100,000 in liability coverage, you also have $100,000 in UIM coverage, unless you specifically opt for a lower amount.
Your Own Insurance Company Could Fight You
Here's where things get frustrating. When you file an underinsured motorist claim, your own insurance company essentially "steps into the shoes" of the at-fault driver. In other words, they act as if they were responsible for the accident, defending the claim as though they were the ones being sued. You might be wondering why your insurance company, which you’ve paid premiums to for years, is now acting like your adversary. The reason is simple: they want to pay you as little as possible.
This can feel like a betrayal, and frankly, it is. But it’s part of how insurance companies operate. They have a vested interest in minimizing payouts, even to their own policyholders. You should be prepared for a fight when you file a claim under your underinsured motorist policy. And don’t expect your insurance company to make it easy. They will often challenge the extent of your injuries, the cost of your medical care, and the overall value of your claim.
Getting You the Justice and Compensation You Deserve
Underinsured motorist coverage is your safety net when the other driver’s insurance fails you. If you’ve been injured in an accident with an underinsured driver, you need aggressive legal representation to make sure your rights are protected. Don't let the insurance companies take advantage of you. Contact Blaszkow Legal, PLLC at (703) 879-5910 today to discuss your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Richmond Office:
7824 Shrader Road, Richmond, Va. 23294
804-273-8929
Alexandria/Northern Virginia Office:
5270 Shawnee Road #102, Alexandria, Va. 22312
703-879-5910