Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists

When underinsured (SUM/UIM) or uninsured (UM) drivers cause serious injuries to others, injury victims can, in certain circumstances recover compensation from their own insurance company. Depending on your policy and the limits involved, you can often recover damages for medical expenses and lost wages incurred as a result of an accident. These coverages provide an excellent opportunity for protecting the financial well being in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

UM coverage is mandatory and based upon a standard endorsement that establishes certain minimum requirements permitting an insured to recover from his own insurance company in the event of an accident with either a motor vehicle that lacks insurance coverage, a "hit and run" motor vehicle, a stolen motor vehicle, or another motor vehicle that qualifies as "uninsured" within the statutory or endorsement definition.

SUM/UIM is optional in New York State. It is designed to afford protection to an insured the event a tortfeasor has liability limits that are too low adequately to compensate for an injury. The purpose is to provide injured victims with compensation for their injuries equal to the protection they themselves purchased to protect others from injuries they may have caused.
At the firm of Costello & Costello, P.C., our personal injury lawyers have a comprehensive knowledge of car insurance policies and the uninsured / underinsured coverage provided under them. We represent injured clients in cases involving bad faith insurance practices where unreasonable delays or refusal of coverage require legal action to enforce the terms of a policy.

We're prepared to assert your rights and demand the timely resolution of your injury claim. To schedule a free consultation, contact Costello & Costello, P.C. Our office represents clients throughout State of New York.

The Other Driver's Policy Wasn't Enough - What Do I Do?

In cases where damages exceed the policy limits of the other driver's coverage, you can seek compensation for the remainder from your insurer. For example, suppose another driver hits your car causing $50,000 in damages, and the other driver's policy only covers up to $25,000 in liability. Under the terms of your policy's uninsured / underinsured coverage, you can recover a portion or all of the remaining $25,000 from your own insurance company, depending on the limits attached to your policy. In most cases, however, the policy limits of the other driver's coverage must be exhausted before you can claim coverage under the terms of your policy.

Questions? Contact Costello & Costello, P.C. today

If you're not sure what your policy says or if you have questions regarding what your insurance company told you, contact our uninsured / underinsured motorist attorneys today. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes an attorney getting involved before insurers are willing offer a fair settlement to a policy holder. In some instances, insurance companies have been known to engage in unethical behavior to minimize their claims pay outs by contacting the other insurer involved to manipulate the process. We're prepared to serve as your legal representative, demand accountability, and take the matter to court if necessary. Call today.

MVAIC CLAIMS

The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification CORPORATION (MVAIC) was created to afford redress to those injured in vehicular accidents where one or more vehicles lacked the insurance coverage required by the Vehicle and Traffic Law. Navigating a claim through MVAIC can be a very frustrating experience. We're prepared to assert your rights and demand the timely resolution of your injury claim. To schedule a free consultation, contact Costello & Costello, P.C. Our office represents clients throughout State of New York.