Learning that the other driver has no insurance can make an already difficult situation harder. You may already be dealing with medical bills or lost income. Figuring out who will pay for those losses can add more stress.
In Louisiana, your own auto policy may help through uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM protection applies when an uninsured driver causes a crash that injures you. How much you can recover depends on the type of UM coverage you have and the limits in your policy.
How uninsured motorist coverage works
Louisiana generally requires personal auto policies to include UM coverage at the same limits as bodily injury liability coverage. If the policy lists you as the named insured, you can turn down UM coverage or choose lower limits on the state form. Your insurer may also offer an economic-only option at a lower premium.
If you have UM coverage, you can make a claim with your own insurer after an uninsured driver causes the crash. You still have to show that the other driver caused the wreck and that your injuries came from it. Your UM limits cap the amount your insurer will pay.
Why your policy choices matter
The UM option you chose affects what your insurer will pay after a crash. If you picked lower limits, less coverage is available for your claim. If you chose economic-only UM, it pays for financial losses such as medical bills and lost wages. However, it does not pay for non-financial harm such as pain and suffering.
You may have signed a UM form when you bought or changed your policy. That form can show if you turned down UM coverage, chose lower limits or picked economic-only coverage. Reading it with your policy can help you confirm what protection you had when the crash happened.
Reviewing your options after the crash
When UM coverage applies, your own policy can become an important part of your auto injury claim. You may want to gather the policy, any UM selection form and proof that the other driver lacked insurance. Reviewing those records helps you understand the available benefits and prepare for the legal process.