Question: Why do you need uninsured & underinsured motor vehicle coverage?
Answer: To protect yourself from negligent motorist who are not adequately insured to pay for the injuries and damages they cause you.
Underinsured motorist coverage is designed to provide individuals with indemnification in the event negligent motorists are not adequately insured for damages that result from motor vehicle accidents, and it has generally been integrated into a given state’s uninsured motorist legislation by modifying the definition of an “uninsured motorist.” Together with uninsured motorist coverage, the coverages serve to promote the recovery of damages for innocent victims of auto accidents with uninsured or underinsured motorists. Given the remedial nature of these objectives, uninsured/underinsured motorist legislation is to be liberally construed. Like all statutes relating to insurance or insurance policies, uninsured/underinsured motorist statutes are to be read in a light most favorable to the insured.
Further, this statute is directed at insurers operating within Indiana and its provisions are to be considered a part of every automobile liability policy the same as if written therein. Moreover, even where a given policy fails to provide such uninsured motorist coverage, the insured is entitled to its benefits unless expressly waived in the manner provided by law. Accordingly, insurers can only avoid the coverage by obtaining a written rejection from their insured.