Auto Accident Attorneys Serving Honolulu, Hawaii – Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage FAQ

At the law firm of Leavitt Yamane & Soldner, our team of knowledgeable and experienced attorneys is committed to helping people understand their rights. Our auto accident attorneys, located in Honolulu and serving all of Hawaii, can help if you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident. If you have been involved in an accident with a party who was uninsured or lacked adequate insurance, you may be eligible to obtain financial compensation for your injuries. We find that many of our clients have questions regarding uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and for that reason, we have devised this list of frequently asked questions to serve as a guide. If you have a question that isn't addressed below or you would like to schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys, contact our Honolulu, Hawaii law office today. We can review your case and advise you of your options.

Do I really need uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?
Should I have "stacked" or "unstacked" uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?
Do I need to be in my car when the accident happens in order to get uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage benefits?
How much uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage should I get?
If I don't know if I have it or not, how do I find out?
Will my rates go up if I make a claim for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage benefits?
I have "full coverage" so don't I already have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?

Do I really need uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?

Yes, uninsured motorist coverage protects you from injuries caused by someone who has no insurance. Some statistics indicate that one in four drivers in Hawaii is uninsured.

Underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you are injured by a driver who does not have enough insurance to compensate you for your injuries. The minimum insurance coverage in Hawaii is just $20,000. There are many drivers on our roadways who only have $20,000 of insurance coverage, which is often not enough to cover medical expenses, not to mention wage loss and compensation for disability and loss of enjoyment of life.

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Should I have “stacked” or “unstacked” uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?

Stacked coverage provides the most insurance protection, and it is often only a few dollars more per year to get stacked coverage. With stacked coverage, the underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage on each one of your automobiles is added together. Additionally, the uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage of anyone who lives with you to whom you are related is also added to your available benefits. This means that in some situations, there may be two or more policies of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage that would be available to compensate you if you are injured by someone without insurance or without enough insurance.

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Do I need to be in my car when the accident happens in order to get uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits?

No. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is “personal and portable.” This means that your uninsured and underinsured motorist protection is available to you, and your family members who reside with you, whenever you are injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle. Therefore, the coverage would be available if you were injured as a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or a passenger in someone else’s vehicle. Our car accident attorneys, serving greater Honolulu, Hawaii, can review your case and explain in more detail how uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is available to you.

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How much uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage should I get?

Your insurance company is required to offer you uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in an amount equivalent to that of your bodily injury liability coverage (the insurance that covers you in the event that you injure someone else). We recommend that you purchase the maximum amount of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage available to you.  Higher limits of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage are usually inexpensive, especially in light of the financial protection that is provided.

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If I don't know if I have it or not, how do I find out?

We urge you to call you insurance agent or insurance company right away to confirm that you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Your insurance company is required to offer this coverage to you, and it is in your best interest to obtain such a policy. At our Honolulu, Hawaii law firm, our auto accident attorneys have unfortunately seen firsthand what can happen to individuals who don’t have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

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Will my rates go up if I make a claim for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage benefits?

No. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is considered "optional additional coverage." Under Hawaii law, an insurer may not raise insurance rates if an insured makes a claim against “optional additional coverage.”

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I have “full coverage” so don’t I already have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?

"Full coverage" is a very vague term.  In our experience, many people who believe that they have “full coverage” do NOT have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. We recommend that you call your agent or insurance company to find out if you have this coverage, and if you do not, tell your insurance company or agent that you want the maximum stacked uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage available.

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Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys in Honolulu, Hawaii

If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident, the car accident attorneys at Leavitt Yamane & Soldner, serving Honolulu, Hawaii, can help. We have extensive experience handling auto accident claims, and we can provide you with the legal counsel you need to make educated and informed decisions about your case. We have provided this list of frequently asked questions about uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage in the hopes that it will serve as a quick reference guide for individuals looking to learn more about their rights. However, if you have additional questions that were not answered above, or you would like to schedule a free consultation, contact our Honolulu law firm today.