Your Insurance May Cover You Even if Your Car Wasn’t Involved

Most people know that insurance is designed to protect you from liability if you are involved in an accident. Some people also are aware that UM/UIM coverage can help compensate you when the at-fault driver is uninsured or has insufficient coverage to fully address your injuries. However, many are surprised to learn that their car insurance may provide protection, even when their vehicle was not involved in the accident. Injured people and their families cannot always rely upon their insurer to be completely upfront about all the types of coverage that may be available under their policy. That is why it is important to have competent legal counsel, even when dealing with your own insurance company.

In Florida, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) typically covers people, not vehicles. While the terms of every policy are different, in many cases UM/UIM can protect you and your family even when you leave your car at home:

• UM/UIM may protect you or your family members regarding injuries sustained while riding as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle.

• UM/UIM may apply if you or a member of your family is involved in a pedestrian accident involving a car.

• UM/UIM may apply if you or a member of your family is struck or otherwise injured by a car while riding a bicycle.

UM/UIM coverage can potentially be a factor in any injury case involving the use or operation of a motor vehicle. If the injury was caused by a vehicle, it does not necessarily matter what kind of conveyance the injured party was using. This is why one of the first priorities of an effective Florida motor vehicle accident attorney is to determine all the potential sources of coverage for a client’s injuries.