UM-UIM Attorneys in Madison MS

Mississippi UM/UIM laws have been the subject of a hotbed of litigation for many years in Mississippi. Mississippi State laws require insurers doing business in the state to offer Uninsured Motorist insurance (UM) and Underinsured Motorist insurance (UIM) to persons purchasing liability automobile insurance. Uninsured Motorist insurance provides compensation to the insured when he or she is injured by another driver who is without any automobile liability insurance.

Underinsured Motorist coverage provides compensation when the insured is injured by another driver whose liability insurance coverage is insufficient to fully compensate the injured person. Mississippi State laws require all drivers to carry motor vehicle liability insurance coverage of not less than $25,000. The uninsured motorist (UM)/underinsured motorist (UIM) laws require the insurer offer UM/UIM coverage in an amount not less than $25,000. If the insured is purchasing a higher amount of liability insurance than the statutory minimum of $25,000, the insurance company must offer their insured UM/UIM with limits of the same amount.

Though UM/UIM coverage must be “offered” to an insured, he or she can choose to refuse or waive the coverage entirely, or to purchase an amount less than the liability coverage. If the insured chooses to do so, however, Mississippi State law requires the insurance company to obtain a written waiver of coverage signed by the insured attesting to that decision. UM/UIM claims are complex, with many legal nuances that must be addressed when defending against a UM/UIM claim.

For example, Mississippi State laws allow an insured, who has made a claim for UM/UIM coverage under one policy or multiple policies of insurance in which they qualify as an insured, to “stack” their coverages to determine the total amount of UM/UIM coverage available to them, subject to any applicable set-off or credit for amounts paid to the insured in certain situations. The attorneys at Gladden & Ingram have extensive experience in dealing with the investigation and defense of UM/UIM claims in every jurisdiction in Mississippi.

Please contact the attorneys at Gladden & Ingram so that we can get started helping you with the defense of your UM/UIM claim.