Reminder Concerning Supplementary Uninsured Motorist Protection

Although we have discussed this in the past regarding car crashes, as a Western New York personal injury attorney I believe there can never be enough reminders regarding Supplementary Uninsured Motorist insurance coverage (SUM). If you’re in a car crash and the person that crashes into you does not have enough insurance to cover your injuries, you can look to your own insurance if you have the proper coverage (SUM). The additional coverage to provide the necessary protection for you and your family is really just a few dollars more per year.

In New York State other drivers can carry as little as $25,000 of insurance “liability coverage.” The liability coverage amount is the maximum amount that the insurance company for the car that crashes into you will have to pay if you are injured. However to protect yourself and your family you can purchase insurance for this situation. For example, if the person that crashes into you has only $25,000 in coverage and you have $100,000 in SUM coverage (which you purchase from your own insurance company) you can look to your own policy for the difference between the two coverages, i.e., $75,000. This additional coverage costs only a few dollars more year. Often insurance salespeople will not inform you of this coverage. You must purchase liability coverage (the amount that covers you if you cause a crash) equal to the amount of SUM coverage you desire.

I encourage everyone to at least ask their insurance company about this. It is a very simple and inexpensive piece of mind.