coverage you must have
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage protects you in the event the party at fault did not have insurance at the time of the accident. It is perhaps the most critical piece of insurance, and most people ignore it. The ugly reality is that MANY people driving out there do not have any insurance at all. Also, in these economic times, many have chosen to view insurance as a discretionary item, even though California law mandates basic liability coverage. Some folks simply forget to pay their premium, and their insurance lapses. Therefore, if you are injured in an accident, YOUR insurance company will compensate you for your medical bills and pain and suffering if the other party had no insurance. Otherwise, you may have nowhere else to turn.
Most people I talk to don’t really know if they have UM/UIM coverage on their policies. Some folks think their insurance company is trying to “upsell” them into something they don’t need. I explain to them that in this day and age, UM/UIM coverage is VERY important. Also, your insurance company is more likely to be generous and fair with you in most cases because they owe you a fiduciary duty. The other party’s insurance company doesn’t owe you the same duty! Heck, they may not even return your phone calls! Take a look at your policy “declaration page” and see if you have it or not. Better yet, call your insurance professional.
How much UM/UIM coverage should you get? Consult with your insurance professional, but in my opinion, get as much as you can without breaking the bank. You may also want to explore an umbrella policy as well. If you or someone you know is involved in a serious accident, please consult an experienced attorney to get an opinion and act quickly because everything you do post-accident can be critical. Contact my office today if are involved in an accident in Santa Clarita.
blogger bio
Robert Mansour grew up in Southern California. He attended Loyola High School and Occidental College.
He received his Juris Doctor degree fromSouthwestern University School of Lawin Los Angeles and has been practicing law since 1993. He is a member in good standing of the California Bar Association.
He has worked for a small personal injury firm near Pasadena, California and for the Burbank City Attorney’s office.
Robert has also been a member of a large civil litigation firm in Glendale, California where he was recognized by the firm as “Trial Attorney of the Year.” He was also a member of the firm’s pro bono Adoption Team which allowed him to serve at the Childrens Courthouse.
He has served as a volunteer arbitrator and as a mediator with the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Robert also studied mediation at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law.
He is a Board Member of The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, President of The Santa Clarita Valley Bar Association, and an active member of the Synergy Business Network.
Currently, Robert’s main areas of practice include Wills & Trusts (Estate
Planning) and Personal Injury Law.
He has lived with his wife and two children in Santa Clarita, California since 1997 and enjoys serving his friends and neighbors in the community and Los Angeles at large.
Contact information for Robert:
Law Office of Robert Mansour
Estate Planning, Wills/Trusts, Personal Injury
www.MansourLaw.com
www.ValenciaLawyer.com
rob@mansourlaw.com(661) 414-7100
