Hit by Uninsured Driver in Idaho Am I Covered?
Reader’s Question:
I am from Idaho and was hit by an uninsured driver, and my car sustained considerable damage although I was unharmed. The other driver is claiming that she did not do it. What do I need to do to reimburse the expenses for repairs done to my car?
Sharon
Pocatello, ID
Getting involved in an accident can prove to be a big headache especially if the other driver does not have any car insurance at all. Although the State of Idaho mandates that its motorists be covered at least with the minimum liability insurance requirements, some motorists simply ignore this financial responsibility act.
The only way a driver will be assisted by his or her own car insurance company for repairs cost following an accident where an uninsured driver is at fault is if the Collision and Comprehensive Insurance coverage is in place at the time of the accident. This assists the policyholder for repairs to the car sustained from being hit by an uninsured driver. Personal Injury Protection insurance pays for treatment of bodily injuries sustained after being hit by a driver with no insurance coverage. This means that the policyholder will need to file a claim against his or her car insurance provider initially for medical care and rehabilitation.
If both PIP and Collision coverage are not included in your policy when the accident happened, then you will need to seek legal assistance to file a lawsuit against the other driver to collect for any damages. Your advantage in this case would be that the other driver was already breaking the law by driving around uninsured.
Medical Expenses Auto Insurance Coverage in Idaho
Reader’s Question:
I got involved in a car accident here in Idaho where the other driver was declared at fault. Now I have a cast on my leg and been in the hospital for a month. My medical payments insurance is almost used up. Will my insurer go after the other party’s car insurance company to collect money for my medical treatment?
Hugh
Boise, ID
Each state has varying car insurance laws. In Idaho, drivers are required to obtain the minimum liability insurance. This means that if the insured ever gets involved in a car accident and is found to be at fault, then his or her car insurance provider will shoulder the costs incurred resulting from the accident.
Minimum coverage means having up to twenty-five thousand dollars to pay for treatment of bodily injuries to a single person or a combined total of fifty thousand dollars for all passengers engaged in the accident. An amount of fifteen thousand dollars goes to property damage coverage if repairs are needed to the victim’s vehicle.
Assuming that the other motorist involved in the accident you were in has minimum liability coverage, then you really wouldn’t have any problem claiming medical payments coverage from his or her insurer. But while Idaho mandates that every driver have minimum liability insurance, some still drive around with not enough or no coverage at all. In this case, if you availed of the uninsured/underinsured section in your policy, then your own car insurance company should be the one taking care of all the medical expense, provided that the cost incurred for medical treatment is within the limit stated in your car insurance policy.
Minimum Liability Insurance in Idaho With SR22 – Free Quotes
Reader’s Question:
What is minimum liability for car insurance in Idaho? I need to know so I can get SR22 insurance from a different state, and they require this information.
Carol
Boise, ID
According to the Idaho state law proof of financial responsibility means proof of ability to respond in damages for liability, on account of accidents happening subsequent to the effective date of the proof, arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle, in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) because of bodily injury to or death of one (1) person in any one per accident, and, subject to the limit for one (1) person, in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) because of bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one per accident, and in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one per accident”.
So in simple language, this means that Idaho’s minimum required car insurance limits are 25/50/15. This stands for Bodily Injury Liability coverage of $25,000 per injured person up to a total of $50,000 per accident, and Property Damage Liability coverage with a minimum limit of $15,000 per accident.
What Amount of SR22 Auto Insurance Do I Need in Idaho?
Q: What amount of Idaho SR22 coverage am I required to carry?
A: As someone who must file Idaho SR22 insurance, you have the same coverage requirements as any other driver, and the only difference is that you have to pay more. You have to carry at least state minimum liability insurance limits, which are:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury total per accident
- $15,000 property damage liability
It is suggested by most car insurance companies that you up your Idaho sR22 coverage to 100/300/100 if you want to be safe, but it isn’t required.
If you are financing or leasing a car, you might have to buy even more coverage. Financers typically require you to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage, and also gap coverage, for your vehicle so what you owe will be paid in the event that your vehicle is damaged or totaled.
