What is the uninsured motorist coverage and PIP coverage ?

In addition to compulsory auto liability coverage, some states require drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage and others require drivers carry both uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist protection. Fifteen states plus the District of Columbia mandate uninsured motorist coverage for its drivers; they are: Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia.

Only six states enforce compulsory uninsured AND underinsured motorist coverage protection. They are: Connecticut, Maine, Minnesota, North Carolina (1/1/09), Vermont and Wisconsin.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) also known as “No Fault” protection is the last major compulsory auto coverage law to which drivers may be subject. Sixteen states have in place compulsory PIP laws: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Utah. As is evidenced by its sheer concentration, PIP is very prevalent in the Northeast US; drivers in six of the 11 states from Maryland through Maine operate subject to “no fault” statutes.

Please Review car insurance  for checking the correct coverage which are mandatory and best  auto insurance rates. Happy and safe motoring. Bon Voyage.

Kelly Osbourne: I would like to know the minimum auto liability limits for drivers in Alaska and other states. What is financial responsibility and which states have that?

Response: Alaska and Maine mandate the highest minimum auto liability limits for drivers within each state. Both require drivers maintain at least 50/100/25 limits. Florida and Louisiana (but only through 2009) allow the lowest minimum auto liability limits at 10/20/10; however Louisiana is raising its minimum limits to 15/30/25 effective January 1, 2010. (One major difference between Florida and Louisiana is “No Fault” status; Florida is a personal injury protection (PIP) state where Louisiana is a compulsory liability state.)

The remaining states fall in between these two extremes with the two most common minimum limit requirements being 25/50/10 and 25/50/25 – both applicable in 12 states each. The most unusual minimum limit requirement may be that of Ohio at 12.5/25/7.5. Further, two states require their insureds carry only $5,000 in property damage protection. Auto liability limits are anything but rational or consistent throughout the country.

Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia maintain compulsory liability insurance requirements. New Hampshire will be the sole remaining voluntary financial responsibility state once Wisconsin’s compulsory liability law takes effect June 1, 2010. Although not a compulsory liability state, New Hampshire is a compulsory uninsured motorist coverage state.

You need to ensure that you have the correct auto insurance coverage. Review auto insurance policy  once you get it and compare auto insurance coverages especially the liablity coverage to see if it meets the required State limits.