Did you know that 49 states have a requirement for motorists to have auto insurance? Even so, some people still don’t carry it. And, when they do not have liability insurance, you could be the one to suffer as a result. It is important to protect yourself from financial loss due to the actions of other people. To do that, speak to your agent about uninsured motorist coverage. Here is why it matters.

It Is Not Uncommon for Drivers to Lack Coverage

The Insurance Information Institute says it is not uncommon for drivers to be without auto insurance. In some cases, they may have some car insurance, but not enough to provide for the damage they cause to your vehicle. As a result, those drivers put you at risk.

There is no way to know if the driver next to you on the freeway or the one speeding in front of you has insurance. For that reason, you need to take steps to protect yourself.

Purchase Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage

The best way to do this is through underinsured/uninsured motorist auto insurance. This can be a component of your auto insurance policy. Your agent can help you obtain it. This component is vital. If you are in an accident another person is financially responsible for, this component of your policy helps cover your financial losses.

Let’s say a driver causes $15,000 worth of damage to your car. They should pay for it, but they don’t have any insurance. In this case, you may have to file a lawsuit to try to get some of these funds back. But, if you have uninsured motorist coverage, the policy helps cover all or some of that cost itself.

What Else You Need to know

Your policy covers you up to the amount of coverage you purchase. If you live in an area where accidents are common or where moving violations are frequent, consider increasing this. Your agent can help you bundle this coverage with comprehensive, collision, and general liability insurance. This can help reduce costs for you overall.

Most drivers need to carry underinsured motorist insurance. Your Dallas auto insurance agent can help you find the right type of coverage for your situation. Keep in mind that this type of insurance only applies when the other driver has the legal responsibility for your losses but lacks insurance coverage.