Many Rhode Island drivers carry auto insurance without fully understanding what happens when they’re injured by a driver whose insurance does not cover all their damages. This is where underinsured motorist coverage comes in. An underinsured motorist claim in Rhode Island may help protect you when the at-fault driver’s liability insurance limits fall short of your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. This guide explains what underinsured motorist coverage is, when it may apply, and how the claims process generally works. Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. has handled uninsured and underinsured motorist matters in Rhode Island for many years.
Understanding Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Underinsured motorist, or UIM, coverage is protection under your own auto insurance policy that may apply when you are injured in a crash caused by another driver who has insurance, but not enough insurance to cover your losses. The firm’s uninsured motorist page explains that Rhode Island auto policies commonly include uninsured or underinsured motorist provisions and that these provisions can help pay for property damage and injuries after a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
A practical example helps show how this works. If the at-fault driver has a low bodily injury limit and your medical bills and other damages exceed that amount, your own UIM coverage may help cover the shortfall, subject to your policy language and limits. Because coverage depends heavily on the language of the policy, it is more accurate to say UIM coverage may fill part of the gap rather than automatically paying the full difference in every case.
UIM coverage is different from uninsured motorist, or UM, coverage. UM applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance or in some hit-and-run situations, while UIM applies when the driver has insurance that is insufficient for the damages involved.
Underinsured motorist coverage may protect you when the at-fault driver’s liability limits are too low to fully cover your damages.
When Underinsured Motorist Coverage Applies in Rhode Island
Underinsured motorist coverage generally applies when three things are true: another driver caused the crash, that driver has liability insurance, and the available liability coverage is not enough to cover the injured person’s damages. The claim is then usually pursued through your own insurer under the underinsured motorist portion of your policy.
The source material confirms that if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you may have a claim against your own insurance carrier to help pay for property damage and injuries. It also states that underinsured motorist coverage in Rhode Island is designed to make up the difference when the other driver carries only minimum coverage, while noting that the specific policy language controls what is available.
Depending on the policy and the nature of the injuries, UIM claims may involve compensation for bodily injury, medical treatment, wage loss, and sometimes vehicle-related losses. Because coverage can vary, it is safer to describe these as damages that may be covered rather than promising that every category will always be included.
Underinsured motorist coverage may apply when the at-fault driver’s liability insurance does not fully cover your damages.
Rhode Island UIM Coverage Requirements and Limits
The Rhode Island uninsured and underinsured motorist regulation is 230-RICR-20-05-1. It cites Rhode Island General Laws section 27-7-2.1 as its authority. The regulation says an insured person may choose coverage below the policy’s bodily injury liability limits. This supports the point that coverage depends on what the policyholder purchases.
The draft says uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory, while underinsured motorist coverage is optional. This is broader than the provided source material supports. The available sources show that Rhode Island regulates both types of coverage. They also support that policy elections matter. But they do not confirm every detail in the original draft. This includes mandatory versus optional treatment and the exact minimum liability figures.
The original draft’s claim that Rhode Island law allows stacking and the example of combining limits across multiple vehicles were not confirmed by the source material gathered here. Because that point is not clearly supported by the materials reviewed, it should be removed rather than stated as fact.
Rhode Island regulates uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and the amount available in a claim depends in significant part on the policy language and the coverage selected.
How to File an Underinsured Motorist Claim
Filing an underinsured motorist claim generally begins with notifying your insurance company about the crash and providing information about the other driver, the accident, and your injuries. The firm’s website explains that the procedure for using uninsured or underinsured coverage can be complicated and that the policy language often dictates how the claim proceeds.
It is also important to gather documents that support the claim, such as the crash report, medical records, bills, proof of lost income, and photographs of the damage. While the source page does not list every document in detail, it does make clear that these claims involve injuries, property damage, and insurer review, so supporting records remain an appropriate and qualified part of the process description.
The original draft described a specific insurance claim sequence. It said the insurer negotiates with the at-fault driver’s insurer first. It also said UIM coverage applies after liability limits are exhausted. This may happen in some cases. But the reviewed sources do not confirm that exact sequence. A safer version is that the insurer investigates the claim and available liability coverage. The insurer then determines what benefits may be owed under the policy.
Many people speak with an attorney during this process. The source page says these claims can be complex. It also recommends consulting counsel to understand what coverage may be available under the policy.
Helpful claim documents may include the police report, medical records, proof of lost wages, and repair-related records.
Why Choose Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. for Your Underinsured Motorist Claim
The firm’s website states that it has recovered more than half a billion dollars for clients and highlights more than 100 years of combined experience. It also says Ronald J. Resmini has more than five decades of experience and is recognized for work involving uninsured motorist cases.
The homepage also states that Ronald J. Resmini is the author of more than 20 Rhode Island Law Institute Handbooks and references recognition such as Super Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and an AV Preeminent rating. Because your prompt requires removal of superiority-style marketing terms, those recognitions can be mentioned in a neutral way without repeating terms such as “top,” “premier,” or “exceptional.”
The firm page also says the office works on a contingency-fee basis, advancing costs and charging no fee unless there is a recovery. The Providence office phone number listed on the firm materials is 401-751-8855.
Frequently Asked Questions About Underinsured Motorist Claims
What’s the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage usually applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance. The firm’s page also notes that this may apply to hit-and-run cases. Underinsured motorist coverage usually applies when the at-fault driver has some insurance. But the available policy limits may not cover the full losses.
How long do I have to file an underinsured motorist claim in Rhode Island?
The original draft mentioned a three-year deadline for Rhode Island bodily injury claims. This included underinsured motorist claims. That deadline was not confirmed by the firm’s uninsured motorist page. It was also not confirmed by the other reviewed materials. For that reason, it should not be presented as verified from these sources. It is more accurate to say deadlines may depend on state law and policy terms. Acting promptly is important.
Can I stack underinsured motorist coverage in Rhode Island?
The original draft stated that Rhode Island permits stacking of underinsured motorist coverage. That point was not confirmed by the reviewed source material, so it should be removed or separately verified before publication.
Contact Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. for Your Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured by an underinsured driver in Rhode Island, Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. offers free consultations to discuss your situation. The firm’s website states that clients pay nothing unless there is a recovery, and the Providence office number listed on the site is 401.751.8855.
Call 401.751.8855 today to schedule your free consultation or contact us online. Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. handles uninsured and underinsured motorist cases in Rhode Island. The firm can review your policy and explain what coverage may be available.
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