Motorists in Minnesota are required to carry uninsured motorist insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage works by providing benefits to motorists who are injured by an at-fault driver that does not have car insurance or who has coverage, but it does not satisfy state-mandated minimum liability requirements. However, there is a process that motorists must follow to obtain these benefits. Keep in mind that this is only a general overview of this process, and state law may vary. In addition, states that have no-fault insurance laws may require motorists to seek an order from the court before they are able to obtain uninsured motorist benefits or underinsured motorist benefits.
The process begins when a motorist is struck by an uninsured motorist. Following that, the motorist will file a claim for benefits with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The motorist will let their insurance company know of the incident. Next, the motorist will be reimbursed from the at-fault party’s insurance company, but this reimbursement will not be enough to cover the damages the motorist sustained in the crash.
After that, the motorist’s own insurance company will perform an investigation of the motorist’s claim. However, if the motorist lives in a no-fault state, their injury claim will first go through their own personal injury protection coverage. If the motorist’s insurance company approves the claim, the motorist will receive an additional reimbursement up to their policy limits or prorated based on the percentage the motorist was at fault for the collision. If the motorist’s insurance company rejects the claim, then the motorist will have to determine whether they want to take legal action, either by filing a lawsuit or going through arbitration.
So, there is a process that is followed when a person files a claim for uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits. It is important that motorists understand what will happen to their claim and what their responsibilities are following the accident. If any crucial steps are overlooked, it could lead to a denial of benefits. Therefore, some people choose to work with an attorney when seeking uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.