Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmertl
No, Uninsured and Underinsured coverage are not primary medical coverage versus Medicare.
Florida requires all drivers to purchase Personal Injury Protection coverage. This is coverage that pays for all medical bills incurred by an insured that resulted from an auto accident. You must purchase 10K in PIP coverage. The basic PIP package also provides coverage for wage losses. So if you aren't employed, be sure to get the PIP coverage that doesn't include wage loss coverage. PIP is primary medical coverage versus Medicare.
UM/UIM coverage coverage covers much more than medical bills. It provides coverage for any thing an uninsured or underinsured motorist is liable for. Could be lost wages, wrongful death, pain and suffering etc. It's not a first party medical coverage and Medicare has no rights to any monetary reimbursement under those coverages and Medicare can't withold payment if you have UM/UIM coverage.
UM/UIM coverage isn't intended to provide insured's with "additional liability" coverage. It's sole purpose is to protect insureds from loss caused by uninsured and underinsured motorists.
No insurance company "will just pay off the limits" and let you defend yourself. No insurance carrier pays off the limits without getting a release for the insured. So no release, no money.
Good luck when you get in a serious accident with an uninsured/underinsured motorist. Plenty of posts here about the 91 year old Mercedes female hit and run driver who hit the woman on a bike. Lifetime of disability issues and pain and suffering. UIM coverage would pay for all of that, without that coverage, you get nothing! But on the bright you saved a couple of bucks!
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Thanks for the PIP explanation. But, I still don't think I need uninsured motorist insurance. I don't have any wages, and I am not going to sue anyone for pain and suffering or disability payments. Regarding a lifetime of disability issues, I doubt that most people have nearly enough uninsured motorist coverage to pay for what that would cost. I think many people have the uninsured motorist coverage because they moved here from a state where it was mandatory, and they have no idea what they are paying for. They would be better off using the UM premium money to buy additional liability coverage.