How does the auto insurance claims process differ for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Allstate?

What happens if you hit an uninsured driver? Unfortunately, it could happen to you, as one in eight drivers in the U.S. does not have coverage. Luckily, if you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with Allstate, it can cover medical and property damage expenses in these scenarios.

How does the auto insurance claims process differ for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with Allstate? In most cases, these claims go through the same process as others as long as you file the claim promptly and with enough information. Keep reading to learn how it works.

How Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage With Allstate Works

Allstate’s underinsured and uninsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage protects you financially when an at-fault driver hits your vehicle. In some states, drivers are required to have this type of auto insurance coverage protection for bodily injury and property damage expenses.

Drivers who don’t have liability auto insurance coverage (or only meet the state-mandated minimum that doesn’t fully cover expenses) are labeled uninsured and underinsured drivers.

The Difference Between Allstate Uninsured vs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage

The main difference between uninsured and underinsured coverage with Allstate is:

• Underinsured drivers: They pay up to the portion of expenses their company allows before Allstate steps in to cover the rest.
• Uninsured drivers: They do not have policies and will not be able to provide any financial compensation.

Allstate notes uninsured coverage can also protect you financially from hit-and-run accidents.

There are also two main coverage types: bodily injury and property damage. In some states, one or more of these are required and included in your policy. In others, you have to add them yourself.

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage: Pays for vehicle repairs and other types of property damage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: Covers your and your passengers’ medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Bodily injury coverage is also useful because your personal injury protection (PIP) and health insurance are often not enough to fully cover extensive bodily injury costs.

Read more: Does Allstate cover medical bills resulting from the accident?

The Claims Process for Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage With Allstate

In a clear-cut situation where the at-fault party has coverage and admits their mistake, their insurance company would pay your expenses. But you can’t file a claim through third-party liability coverage when the at-fault driver doesn’t have coverage or flees the scene.

That’s when you file your uninsured motorist claim with Allstate. The claims process may include an investigation and follow-up, but you should receive your payout in a reasonable time frame if you file properly. Learn how to file an auto insurance claim.

You can also file an underinsured motorist claim with Allstate when the at-fault driver’s third-party liability coverage caps out before all expenses are paid, and Allstate will cover the difference. (For more information, read our “How do I file an auto insurance claim with Allstate?“).

To ensure your claim goes through as smoothly as possible, you must remember what you should do at the scene of an accident to prepare for an insurance claim. This includes:

• Noting the make, model, and color of all vehicles involved
• Noting the at-fault driver’s license plate number, if possible
• Noting the location, date, and time of the accident
• Filing a police report
• Documenting medical expenses and lost wages
• Documenting and photographing vehicle damage
• Notifying Allstate as soon as possible and filing your claim

You should also get the at-fault driver’s contact, license, insurance, and license details, but this may or may not be possible in an uninsured or underinsured motorist situation.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims With Allstate: A Final Note

In an ideal world, you should always be able to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company for compensation. But when they have insufficient insurance or none at all, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Allstate will pay out your claim.

How does the auto insurance claims process differ for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Allstate?

How much insurance coverage the at-fault driver has determines how Allstate handles the claim, so ensure you gather as much information as possible to submit your uninsured or underinsured motorist claim successfully.