There is only problem with trying to understand insurance, and that is just that, trying to understand it. To many times the insured (you) find out about what coverage you have or don't have only after a claim is filed. And that can be very discouraging, especially if an uninsured motorist is involved.

Don't let the fact that California has a mandatory insurance requirement fool you. There is a whole portion of our society who elects not to obtain insurance for one reason or another. The reasons behind this choice run from the ever popular "I don't believe in insurance" to the very real "I can't afford insurance!" Whatever justification they use is immaterial. The problem is what happens to us when we become the victims of their driving. Let's examine some of these possibilities.

Through no fault of your own, you are hit by someone who has no insurance. The first response in most hypothetical discussions is that you would sue the person. Fine. But let's look at the expenses you are going to incur now, and the three to four months before court date, and the several more months before settlement time, and the year or year and a half before collection takes place. MEDICAL BILLS. Now you might have medical coverage through work to handle this, so you are not to bad off. If you don't, you will be introduced, first hand, to what is now referred to as the ever mounting cost of hospital care. LOSS OF WAGES. A lot of people have some sort of disability through their work. Great! But is this at 100% of their wages?? Or is it at 60% or 70% or 80%?? Or does it have a 14 day waiting period? Or even yet a longer waiting period? And does it pay retroactive back to the first day? In other words, you could be on your back in the hospital or at home for 21 days before you can qualify for 60% of wages STARTING DAY 22!! (I don't know about you, but that sort of arrangement could put my family budget up the creek without a paddle!!)

That alone could give you a first hand understanding of the insurance term of PAIN AND SUFFERING. This term is the big vague one. But it does cover a variety of circumstances that WILL arise if you are hit by someone without insurance. And, probably the least critical at this point, the damage to your cycle. After all, it needs to get back into it's original shape for future riding or sale. If you had collision coverage, it could be fixed under that, after your deductible is paid. (More pain and suffering in my opinion. Why do I need to pay to get my machine fixed after being a victim?) If you had a liability only policy, you will be forced to repair the cycle at your own expense.

The situation listed above is not as rare as people think. Think about this. Every time you see someone under twenty-five, driving a rather older car, or a car looked upon as hot-rod type by the insurance industry, ask yourself if the person looks like they have $2500 to pay for insurance? Scary isn't it?! Face it, there are at least 13,648 things in everybody's life that rate more important than insurance. Even as an insurance agent, my own approach is "Give me what the law says I have to have!" I just add one twist. I HAVE A TON OF U.M.I. (uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance) UMI can be a real lifesaver. Ask anyone who has been hit by someone without insurance. UMI most likely offers more than any form of insurance in the motorcycle field. It can be the "catch- all" area for all the loops in your other coverages.

For myself, if I was involved in the above scenario, I would be able to get my medical needs met through my own personal medical coverages at Kaiser. Due to the type of coverage I have there, I would be responsible for certain fees. (No fear, UMI is here!) Since I am self-employed, my disability coverage stinks. Waiting periods, percentage of income as verified through tax returns, and so on. To make it worse, last year's tax form doesn't reflect what is being earned this year. (No fear, UMI is here!) And since I only have liability coverage, the repairs to my cycle would be my responsibility. (No fear, UMI is here!) And some how or other, the whole process of recovery, suing, expenses incurred and so on, the amount of pain and suffering would test the patience of Job. (No fear UMI is here!) In theory, my lifestyle would remain as I know it now. I would not suffer undue costs and changes because of being a victim.

Now a lot of this has been rather over simplified to keep your attention. And some humor has been added to help bring home some points. Everybody's situation is different and a mass solicitation for the sale of Uninsured Motorist Insurance is not the main point of this article. The main point is that the EVERY application for insurance has a waiver to sign if you choose not to purchase this coverage. And the insurance industry would not protect their back sides like that unless they knew something we didn't!! So, maybe you need to call your agent and ask him to explain UMI to you. Ask him to help you review YOUR situation to see if you need UMI. Remember, the smartest shopper is the educated shopper!!