Being insured is not a luxury—it is a legal requirement as a motorist in Arizona.
Arizona has a mandatory insurance limit. This statute requires that all motor vehicles on the road have a statutory limit of financial responsibility through a proper insurance company. Known as liability insurance, this policy covers the minimum.
Per the Arizona Department of Transportation, the minimum liability a vehicle can have is $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 per two or more individuals in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage.
These are the minimum standards. A person who does not obtain insurance through the mandatory requirement will face a citation. They could also have their vehicle license and driver’s license suspended until they can show adequate coverage.
Minimum Liability is Not Enough
While minimum liability ensures one is not in an accident with an uninsured motorist, $10,000 in property damage and $15,000 for medical costs will not be sufficient if a person is seriously injured.
That is why a Tempe car accident attorney recommends that anyone driving a vehicle carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on their policy.
Hundreds of Drivers are Uninsured—and Some are on the Roads Now
Per the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 10.6% of drivers in Arizona are uninsured as of 2012. While this is nowhere near the highest percentages in the country, it is still alarming to know that 10 out of 100 drivers have no insurance on their vehicle. Even worse, these motorists are sharing the road with other motorists, children, and cyclists alike.
The Power of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage protects a driver in the event they sustain serious injuries and damages—especially when the at-fault driver lacks adequate coverage (such as carrying the minimum) or has no insurance coverage.
While Arizona does not require motorists to carry supplemental uninsured motorist coverage, every Tempe car accident attorney highly recommends it.
Otherwise, there will be no way to recover financially after an accident. While a person could technically sue the private individual for damages, it is unlikely they would have the assets to pay medical costs if they cannot pay for automobile insurance.
Exploring Options for Compensation: Contact a Tempe Car Accident Attorney
Anyone involved in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist should contact an attorney from Tobler Law immediately.
The Tempe car accident attorneys at Tobler Law can look for alternative solutions to excessive medical costs and property damage, and they can help victims recover compensation.
Schedule a free consultation for your injury case today by calling Tobler Law at 480-898-9700 or request more information online.