The laws in most states require that drivers carry insurance to drive. Missouri state law mandates basic amounts of property damage and bodily injury liability coverage. Missouri is also one of the states that requires uninsured motorist coverage. If another driver does not have the policy required by law, uninsured driver coverage can help people reduce their economic losses.
What amount of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is appropriate for modern motorists?
Legal requirements are quite low
The uninsured motorist coverage minimums established under state law mirror the minimums for bodily injury liability coverage. This coverage pays for injury-related expenses, not property damage losses.
Generally speaking, motorists need to have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash in uninsured coverage. However, it is very easy to recognize how those baseline amounts could be far too low given the catastrophic losses generated by a collision.
Many insurance specialists recommend basing coverage amounts on personal income and household expenses. People need to consider the income they may lose and the cost of paying for their medical care when deciding how much coverage is appropriate.
In addition to carrying uninsured driver coverage, motorists may need to have a plan for how they handle the aftermath of a crash. Responding effectively after a collision can help people prove fault, which can then be critical if they intend to pursue compensation through personal injury litigation rather than a simple insurance claim.
Having the right coverage and documentation can make a major difference to those involved in motor vehicle collisions caused by uninsured drivers. A combination of insurance and litigation can help innocent people offset the financial impact of a crash.