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Minnesota and UM/UIM insurance requirements

On Behalf of | Oct 6, 2021 | Car Accidents |

Most states require drivers to carry at least minimum liability car insurance to cover other drivers. However, each state sets its own level of minimum coverage, and 20 states require more than liability. Drivers in St. Paul, Minnesota, must buy some additional coverage, which includes uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist protection

Uninsured/underinsured motorist protection covers the insured driver if they are hit by an uninsured driver or one without enough coverage. The required amounts for UM/UIM coverage are $25,000/$50,000, representing per person and per accident, or the limit for two or more passengers. For example, if the driver injures three people, per accident would only cover to that amount even when the amount exceeds the limit.

This insurance saves drivers time from having to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver because most uninsured people have few assets. Though Minnesota requires insurance, around 12% of residents are not insured, and the state has around 80,000 crashes per year. Even uninsured drivers can still seek damages not covered from at-fault parties, so the insured may want to raise their coverage limits.

Other requirements and options

In addition to requiring UM/UIM, Minnesota also requires a minimum limit of $40,000 for personal injury protection. PIP divides the coverage limit into $20,000 for hospital expenses and $20,00 for non-medical expenses.

UM/UIM also includes an optional coverage for property damage, or UMPD, to cover repairs to the driver’s vehicle. However, the UMPD only kicks in if the insured is not at fault, and the minimum coverage is $10,000. Collision insurance is an optional coverage that may cover damage to the insured’s vehicle regardless of fault.

Having enough coverage protects the driver from paying costs out-of-pocket. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company refuses to pay for legitimate damages, they may have breached the contract.