Underinsured motorist claims are similar to uninsured motorist claims in several respects. It is a claim brought by an injured person against their own insurance company following injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. However, instead of having no insurance, the at-fault driver has less insurance than is needed to fully compensate the victim. When that happens, the victim can make a claim through his own underinsured motorist carrier for benefits under his own policy and will receive compensation for the full value of his injuries, up to his policy limits. For example if an at fault driver has $20,000 in liability coverage, but the victim has $100,000 in underinsured motorist coverage and sustains $70,000 in damages in the accident. In that case, the victim's insurance company will pay $50,000 (that is $70,000 in damages less $20,000 paid by the at-fault driver). Underinsured motorist claims are similar to motor vehicle claims, but have the added complexity of involving issues of insurance law, so you should be carefult o hire well-qualified counsel.
