Every motorist in South Carolina is required to obtain and maintain minimum mandatory liability coverage. Unfortunately, not all drivers in the state actually follow the law. The Insurance Information Institute (III) estimates that nearly 1 in 8 drivers in the state lacks the proper coverage. You are required to have uninsured motorist (Um) coverage. It is strongly suggested that you purchase underinsurance (UIM) to ensure that you are fully protected. In this article, our Anderson auto accident lawyer provides a comprehensive guide to uninsured and underinsured motorist claims in South Carolina.

Understanding Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage in South Carolina (The Basics)

In South Carolina, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is optional. However, it is highly recommended. UIM coverage provides financial protection when you are involved in an accident with a driver whose insurance is not sufficient to cover your damages. Given that many drivers carry only the minimum required liability coverage, underinsured motorist coverage can be a valuable tool after a crash.

What to Know About How Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Uninsured (UM) Coverage Functions After an Accident

South Carolina is a fault-based insurance state. If you are injured in an accident caused by another driver, you would first seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. However, if they lack liability coverage or if their policy limits are too low to cover all your expenses, your UIM or UM coverage can step in to bridge the gap. For example, if your total damages amount to $25,000 and the at-fault driver has no insurance coverage your UM policy can be a source of compensation. If the at fault driver’s insurance is not sufficient to cover your damages you would access your own underinsured motorist coverage for additional compensation.

Know the Law: Stacking Policies in South Carolina

A key feature of uninsured or underinsured motorist claims in our state is that South Carolina allows the “stacking” of UIM and UM policies. What does this mean in practice? It allows you to combine coverage limits from multiple vehicles under your name or within your household. In other words, if you have UIM coverage on several vehicles, you can add up the limits to increase the total compensation available to you. For example, if you have $25,000 UIM coverage on two vehicles, stacking could provide up to $50,000 in coverage. With that being said, the amount you can claim from each policy cannot exceed the limit of the vehicle involved in the accident.

You Should Review Your Coverage on a Regular Basis 

Insurance coverage matters. It is essential to regularly review your auto insurance policy to ensure you have adequate UIM and UM coverage. For that reason, understanding the specifics of your policy, including coverage limits and the potential for stacking, can make a significant difference in the event of an accident.

Contact Our Anderson, SC Uninsured Motorist Attorney Today

At The Law Office of Steven M Krause, PA, our South Carolina uninsured and uninsured motorist lawyer is a skilled, passionate advocate for justice. If you have any questions about an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim, we can help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review. From our office in Anderson, we handle uninsured and underinsured motorist cases throughout the wider region in South Carolina.

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Steven M. Krause

Steven Krause is a personal injury, auto accident, and workers’ compensation lawyer who practices in Anderson, SC. He graduated form the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and has been practicing law for 40 years now. Steven Krause believes in fighting for the injured. Learn more about his experience here.