When the At-Fault Driver Can't Pay
Even though Connecticut requires drivers to carry insurance, many drive uninsured or with minimum policies that are far too small to cover a serious injury. If you are hit by such a driver, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may be what stands between you and an unpaid stack of medical bills. Connecticut requires every auto policy to include UM/UIM coverage, so you likely have it even if you have never thought about it.
How UM and UIM Coverage Works
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver had no insurance at all, including in hit-and-run cases. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver had insurance, but not enough to cover your damages. In that case, your UIM coverage can make up the difference up to your policy limits. Connecticut also allows 'conversion' coverage that can stack on top of the at-fault driver's policy, which can significantly increase what is available.
Your Own Insurer Becomes the Opponent
One surprising aspect of UM/UIM claims is that you are effectively making a claim against your own insurance company, and despite paying premiums for years, your insurer will often fight the claim just as hard as any other. They may dispute fault, the severity of your injuries, or the value of your claim. Having an attorney levels the playing field and keeps your insurer honest.
Maximizing Your Recovery
An attorney can identify all available UM/UIM coverage, including policies you may not realize apply, such as coverage on other household vehicles, and can pursue stacking where allowed. This often uncovers far more coverage than a victim assumed they had, which can be the difference between a partial and a full recovery.
Injured in Connecticut? Get a free, confidential case review today. There's no obligation, and you pay no fee unless you win. Call 973-566-5599.
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost certainly. Connecticut requires every auto policy to include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, so you likely have it even if you have never used it.
UM/UIM claims are made against your own policy, and insurers often dispute fault and damages to limit payouts. An attorney helps hold your insurer to the coverage you paid for.
Uninsured motorist coverage typically applies to hit-and-run crashes where the at-fault driver cannot be identified, subject to prompt reporting requirements.