Some people are natural born risk-takers, and if their state did not have minimum auto insurance requirements, those individuals might not carry any coverage at all. There’s no foolproof way to avoid car accidents, though, which is why all motorists should carry enough coverage to pay for any damages they might cause or incur in a collision.
Unfortunately, not everyone abides by the mandatory insurance requirements. According to the Insurance Information Institute, an estimated 9.7 percent of motorists in Iowa were uninsured in 2012.
If you want to protect yourself in the event of a collision with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you should consider purchasing uninsured motorist coverage. Although not a state requirement, UM coverage can be incredibly helpful in certain circumstances.
If you were hurt in a car accident that was not your fault and you incurred more in damages than the other party carries in coverage, contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC to determine the best way to proceed. An injury attorney from our firm will help you explore all possible avenues for recovering compensation. Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free case evaluation with an accident lawyer in Cedar Rapids.
What Are the Minimum Coverage Requirements in Iowa?
In the state of Iowa, you must carry at least:
- $20,000 in bodily injury coverage per person per accident;
- $40,000 in bodily injury coverage total per accident; and
- $15,000 in property damage liability coverage.
The state also encourages motorists to purchase the above amounts in underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage; however, this is not a requirement. If you do not currently have room in your budget for UM coverage, you can waive this requirement by signing a form acknowledging your decision and filing it with your auto insurance provider.
The state of Iowa does not have minimum requirements for collision, comprehensive, or medical payment coverage; however, if you want to protect yourself financially for all possible eventualities, you should consider exploring the additional kinds of coverage that are available to you.
What Is Collision Insurance?
Collision insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. Although carrying collision insurance is not mandatory under state law, you may be required to purchase a policy if you have financed or leased your vehicle.
What Is Comprehensive Insurance?
Comprehensive insurance will cover damage that your car sustains in an accident or scenario that does not involve a collision. For example, it may cover damage resulting from vandalism, certain natural disasters, fire, falling objects, and hitting an animal. It also reimburses motorists in the event of theft.
Unfortunately, even if you purchase adequate insurance coverage and maintain an active policy, that does not mean your provider will gladly reimburse you following an accident. If you were hurt in a crash and the insurance company or at-fault driver is refusing to offer a fair payout, contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC.
We will assess your case and provide comprehensive legal guidance. Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free consultation with an injury attorney in Cedar Rapids. You can learn more about insurance claims in Iowa by visiting USAttorneys.com.
