In This Article
Why This Happens So Often Here
New Hampshire's unusual approach to auto insurance — not requiring most drivers to carry it — means a significant number of uninsured drivers share the road. When one of them causes a crash, the injured person discovers there is no liability policy to turn to, which can feel like a dead end. It is not, if you carried the right coverage.
Uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy exists precisely for this situation. It allows you to recover for your injuries from your own insurer, as though the at-fault driver had carried the coverage they should have.
Steps to Take After an Uninsured-Driver Crash
Treat the scene like any other crash: call the police, get medical attention, photograph everything, and collect witness information. The police report documenting that the other driver had no insurance is important. Then notify your own insurer and ask specifically about your uninsured motorist coverage.
Be aware that a UM claim is brought against your own insurance company, and that company evaluates it the same way it would evaluate a claim against a stranger. Adjusters may dispute your injuries or the value of your claim even though you are their own policyholder.
Getting a Fair Result From Your Own Insurer
Because your insurer's financial interest is opposed to yours in a UM claim, having representation often makes a meaningful difference. An attorney can document your injuries, present the claim persuasively, and push back when the company undervalues what you are owed. The fact that you are dealing with your own carrier does not mean you will be treated generously.
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This article is general information, not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, get a free, confidential case review. You pay nothing unless you win.
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