When you get seriously injured in an accident in Florida and your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance does not provide full coverage for your losses, your next source of financial recovery is typically the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance policy. But, what if the at-fault driver’s policy limits are not enough? Or, what if the driver who hit you is uninsured?

Stacking Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage After an Auto Accident in Florida

In both of these scenarios, an injured driver’s or passenger’s next option is usually to determine whether he or she has uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Unlike PIP and BIL insurance, UIM insurance is entirely optional under Florida law. However, since UIM insurance provides critical coverage in cases where an at-fault driver’s insurance is inadequate, most personal injury lawyers usually recommend it.

Another benefit of UIM coverage is the option for “stacking.” When you stack UIM coverage, you are essentially adding up your coverage limits from multiple vehicles or policies in order to increase your coverage for a single accident. There are two options for stacking UIM coverage in Florida:

  • Stacking Within a Single Policy – If you have multiple vehicles insured under a single policy, you can stack your coverage limits for each vehicle covered under the policy.
  • Stacking Across Multiple Policies – If you have multiple vehicles insured under separate policies, you can stack your separate policy limits to maximize your UIM coverage for a single claim.

With both options, proof of fault is required to secure UIM coverage. Unlike PIP, which is no-fault insurance that is available to the vast majority of auto accident victims, UIM coverage is only available where there is evidence to show that someone else is to blame for your injuries. For this reason, and to make sure you have a clear picture of the full extent of your financial and non-financial losses, it is important to discuss your case with an attorney as soon as possible.

UIM Insurance is Also Available After Hit-and-Run Accidents

In Florida, UIM insurance is also available to victims of hit-and-run accidents. For insurance purposes, hit-and-run accidents are treated similarly to accidents caused by uninsured drivers. If you can prove that someone else was at fault in the accident, then you can file a UIM claim; and, if you have coverage for multiple vehicles, you can stack your coverage to maximize your financial recovery.

Ways to prove fault when seeking UIM coverage after an auto accident include collecting evidence of:

Speak With a Crestview, FL Personal Injury Lawyer for Free

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident and you would like more information about securing coverage under your UIM policy, we invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney at our offices in Crestview, FL. To discuss your claim at a time that is convenient for you, please call 850-682-2757 or inquire online today.