The answer to the above question is that every driver on the road needs to have uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) pays benefits to you and your passengers if you are in a car accident and the at fault driver does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to pay the full damages you and your passengers receive.
In Louisiana, UM coverage comes with your liability policy unless you rejected it on a properly completed government approved form. There are different types of UM. Regular UM pays for all damages you and your passengers receive in a car accident. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, etc. up to the policy limits. Economic-only UM (UEO) is the same as UM, but only covers the actual cost of your and your passenger’s losses. It does not cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, etc. Another type of UM covers property damage and normally has a deductible. It does not apply if you carry collision insurance on your vehicle.
I highly recommend regular UM. I do not recommend UEO. In the current economic climate, more ane more motorists are driving without insurance. UM coverage is relatively inexpensive and affords you the protection you and family needs.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
