How do I know if I have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?

Check your automobile insurance declarations page, which lists all coverage types and their limits, or contact your insurer directly to confirm what UM and UIM coverage you purchased when you bought the policy.

What happens if the at-fault driver has some insurance but not enough?

You can pursue the at-fault driver's liability coverage up to their policy limit, then file an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurer for the difference between what you recovered and the total value of your documented losses, up to your UIM coverage limit.

How is the claim documented and submitted?

The process requires submitting medical records, treatment invoices, documentation of lost wages, repair estimates or total loss valuations for your vehicle, and evidence from the crash that establishes fault, along with proof of the at-fault driver's insurance status or lack of coverage.

Does filing a UM or UIM claim increase my insurance rates?

Because you are recovering under coverage designed to protect you from uninsured or underinsured drivers rather than filing a claim for an accident you caused, insurers in Louisiana typically do not increase premiums based solely on a UM or UIM claim, though policy terms vary by carrier.

What if my insurer disputes the claim or offers less than expected?

Your insurer may challenge the value of your claim, the extent of your injuries, or the interpretation of policy language, which is why legal representation becomes important to ensure the coverage you purchased is applied correctly and your losses are documented thoroughly.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims

Murphy's Law, APLC represents injured motorists in Shreveport when the driver who caused a collision has no insurance or inadequate coverage to address the full extent of accident-related losses. You may discover after the crash that the responsible party carries no liability policy or holds only the minimum required coverage, which often falls short of covering medical treatment, vehicle damage, lost income, and other documented expenses. When this situation arises, your own insurance policy may include uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage that becomes relevant to your claim.

Evaluating these claims requires reviewing the at-fault driver's policy limits, examining your own automobile insurance declarations, gathering medical records that document injuries sustained in the crash, and collecting evidence from the collision itself, including police reports, photographs, and witness statements. The process differs from a standard liability claim because it involves making a claim against your own insurer under provisions designed to fill the gap left by an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Schedule a case review to have your insurance policy and the circumstances of the collision evaluated for available coverage options.

This coverage activates when the driver responsible for the accident either carries no insurance or maintains limits too low to cover the full value of your documented losses. Establishing the claim involves confirming the at-fault driver's insurance status through the police report or direct inquiry, then reviewing your own policy to determine what UM or UIM coverage you purchased when you bought your insurance. Many motorists do not realize they carry this coverage until they need it, and the limits you selected at the time you purchased your policy now determine what additional compensation may be available.

After filing the UM or UIM claim with your insurer, you will notice that the process resembles negotiating with the at-fault party's carrier, except that your own insurance company now evaluates the claim and may dispute the extent of your injuries or the amount of coverage that applies. Murphy's Law, APLC handles the documentation requirements, policy interpretation, and negotiation with your insurer to pursue the compensation your coverage allows.

The claim does not affect your insurance rates in the same way an at-fault accident would, since you are recovering under coverage designed specifically for this situation. However, disputes can arise over policy language, coverage limits, and whether the at-fault driver was truly underinsured relative to your total losses.

How do I know if I have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?
Check your automobile insurance declarations page, which lists all coverage types and their limits, or contact your insurer directly to confirm what UM and UIM coverage you purchased when you bought the policy.
What happens if the at-fault driver has some insurance but not enough?
You can pursue the at-fault driver's liability coverage up to their policy limit, then file an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurer for the difference between what you recovered and the total value of your documented losses, up to your UIM coverage limit.
How is the claim documented and submitted?
The process requires submitting medical records, treatment invoices, documentation of lost wages, repair estimates or total loss valuations for your vehicle, and evidence from the crash that establishes fault, along with proof of the at-fault driver's insurance status or lack of coverage.
Does filing a UM or UIM claim increase my insurance rates?
Because you are recovering under coverage designed to protect you from uninsured or underinsured drivers rather than filing a claim for an accident you caused, insurers in Louisiana typically do not increase premiums based solely on a UM or UIM claim, though policy terms vary by carrier.
What if my insurer disputes the claim or offers less than expected?
Your insurer may challenge the value of your claim, the extent of your injuries, or the interpretation of policy language, which is why legal representation becomes important to ensure the coverage you purchased is applied correctly and your losses are documented thoroughly.

When the At-Fault Driver Has No Coverage