Underinsured Motorist Coverage South Carolina
Car insurance is intended to help repair the physical, emotional, and financial damage that an auto accident can bring. Emotional trauma, medical treatments, and property damage can all bring high costs, which insurance should be able to handle. However, South Carolina’s insurance minimums can leave motorists vulnerable if costs exceed the mandated totals. In this article, I’m going to explain to you why you should not opt out of underinsured motorist coverage South Carolina.
South Carolina Insurance Requirements
Some states do not require specific insurance coverage amounts, but South Carolina does include legal minimums for car insurance. The state requires all motorists to have bodily injury liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person[1]. Property damage liability insurance is also required, with a minimum limit of $25,000[2]. These totals may seem like significant amounts, but costs incurred by car accidents can easily exceed these limits. Claims for bodily injury and property damage can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Future medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Repair to other property, such as equipment
South Carolina also requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage[3]. This type of insurance policy protects the policyholder if they are in an accident with a driver that is not insured. While not having car insurance is a violation of South Carolina law, some drivers in the state are operating their vehicles without the required coverage. An estimated 10.9% of drivers in South Carolina were uninsured in 2019[4]. In my experience, this rate has increased since Covid.
If you have questions about your car accident and how insurance coverage may affect a settlement or lawsuit, speak with a personal injury attorney in South Carolina.
Additional Insurance Coverage
Obtaining car insurance that goes above and beyond state-required minimums is advisable. Most insurance providers offer additional coverage options for those drivers who want to take extra precautions. One such option is underinsured motorist coverage South Carolina. Underinsured coverage is not required in South Carolina,[5] but it can make a significant difference in out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident.
Insurance companies in the state are required to offer an optional uninsured motorist policy to their customers[6]. This type of policy can be advantageous for any drivers who want protection from accidents caused by others and when they feel the state minimums may not be sufficient.
An insurance policy that includes underinsured coverage will pay for accident-related expenses if the at-fault driver is only carrying the minimum liability coverage. As is the case with many car collisions, costs accumulate quickly, which can leave accident victims holding the remaining tab.
Overcoming the trauma associated with an auto accident is challenging, so you shouldn’t have to worry about navigating the claims process on your own. Burnside Law Firm has a personal injury attorney in South Carolina, ready to help you, so contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Have you been injured in a car accident? Click here to read about 5 things you should do if you’ve been in a car accident.
