Obtaining the Coverage Benefits You Paid For
Medical care is expensive. In fact, it is not uncommon for the cost of treating even relatively minor injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident to exceed the minimum limits of insurance that Illinois drivers are required to carry ($20,000).
Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policies were created to deal with this problem. Essentially, a UM/UIM policy allows you to protect yourself from having to bear the heavy cost of medical treatment on your own. The question is, who protects you from your insurance company if they refuse to provide benefits after an accident?
At Clancy Law, we're committed to helping our clients with all of the legal issues connected to their motor vehicle accidents and injuries, including disputes between our clients and their insurance companies over uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call 630-524-4338 or contact our offices in Chicago or St. Charles today.
UM/UIM Insurance and Illinois Law
In Illinois, auto insurance companies are required to offer you uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in an amount equal to your own liability coverage. You are not required to buy it. However, if you do not want to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist, you must refuse it in writing.
If you did decide to purchase UM/UIM coverage, the law requires your insurance company to treat you fairly if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and have to make a claim.
Unfortunately, insurance companies have succeeded in making the rules for filing a UM/UIM claim very complicated. Because of that, you have to make very sure that you're following those rules. If your insurer believes you have missed any deadlines or made any mistakes, they will use those mistakes to limit or deny coverage.
Our attorneys know this complicated area of the law and how to clearly establish your rights and the obligations of your insurer to pay. For answers to other questions regarding uninsured motorists' claims — call our attorneys directly at 630-524-4338 or contact us online.
Office Locations in Chicago and St. Charles, Illinois
