What Happens If the Driver Who Hit You Doesn’t Have Enough Insurance in South Carolina?

Finding out the other driver’s insurance won’t cover all your losses can make a tough situation even harder. If someone else caused your crash, underinsured motorist coverage in South Carolina might help, as long as you bought it and your policy fits the situation.

At Taylor Anderson Law Firm in Charleston, you’ll get help understanding what coverage could be available after a serious accident.

What Does Underinsured Motorist Coverage Do?

Underinsured motorist coverage, or UIM, is part of your own auto policy. In South Carolina, insurers have to offer it as an option. UIM can help when your damages are higher than what the other driver’s insurance will pay.

UIM coverage doesn’t come standard. What you can get depends on the coverage you chose, your policy details, the accident, and the losses you can show.

How Can You Tell Whether the Other Driver’s Insurance Is Enough?

You might not know right away. Medical care can keep adding up after your car is fixed, and missing work can increase your losses too.

Look at your policy’s declarations page to see if you have UIM coverage and what your limits are. Don’t sign any release until you know the other driver’s limits, your own coverage, and how it could affect a UIM claim in South Carolina.

What Records Should You Keep After the Crash?

Hold onto records that show how the crash happened, what coverage might apply, and how your injuries have affected your life:

• photos, witness information, and insurance details exchanged at the scene
• your auto policy and declarations page
• medical bills, treatment records, wage information, and repair estimates
• the SCDMV collision report when it becomes available

After a Charleston-area crash, the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles offers a collision report that’s more detailed than the one you get on the day of the accident. You can request it online or with Form FR-50, but it won’t be ready until SCDMV processes it.

Why Can a UIM Claim Become Complicated?

A UIM claim uses your own insurance policy, but things can still get complicated. Your insurer may look at how the crash happened, your injuries, your policy details, and what the other driver’s insurance will pay.

Taylor Anderson Law Firm handles underinsured motorist claims for injured people in Charleston and nearby communities. Attorney Taylor Anderson has litigated personal injury and insurance coverage matters in South Carolina and Georgia.

FAQ About Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Is underinsured motorist coverage required in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina insurers must offer UIM coverage, but drivers may choose whether to buy it.

How do I know whether I have UIM coverage?
Check the declarations page of your current auto policy or ask your insurance agent for a copy.

When should I speak with a lawyer?
It’s a good idea to talk with a lawyer if your injuries are serious, the other driver’s limits seem too low, or you’re asked to sign paperwork before you understand your claim.

Talk to a Charleston Underinsured Motorist Lawyer

If the driver who caused your South Carolina crash doesn’t have enough insurance, contact Taylor Anderson Law Firm in Charleston. We can review the policies, accident records, and documented losses to help you understand whether UIM coverage may apply.

Posted on behalf of Taylor Anderson Law Firm