Picture this: You’re driving home after a long day when, without warning, another vehicle crashes into you. You’re left injured, your car is damaged, and the medical bills are piling up.
Then comes the worst news—you find out the at-fault driver either has minimal car insurance coverage or no insurance at all. Their policy might only cover $25,000, barely scratching the surface of your medical expenses and lost wages.
Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common for drivers in New York. While the law requires motorists to carry liability insurance, many choose the lowest allowable limits—or drive without coverage entirely.
The good news? There’s a hidden protection in your own auto insurance policy that can safeguard your financial future: Supplemental Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (SUM) coverage. Many drivers don’t realize how crucial SUM coverage is until it’s too late—and insurance companies rarely highlight it.
SUM insurance—short for Supplemental Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage—protects you if you’re injured in an accident caused by a driver with little or no insurance.
Here’s how it works:
If a negligent driver injures you in a car accident, their liability insurance should cover your damages—up to their policy limit.
But if that driver only has the New York minimum of $25,000 (or is completely uninsured), it might not come close to covering your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Your SUM coverage steps in to bridge the gap between the at-fault driver’s policy limit and the actual value of your claim.
Example: If your damages total $90,000 but the at-fault driver’s insurance only covers $25,000, your SUM policy could pay the remaining $65,000—depending on your coverage limits.
Unlike liability insurance, which protects other drivers when you cause an accident, SUM coverage is there to protect you and your passengers.
The reality is simple: when your SUM policy pays out, it comes from your own insurance company’s pocket—not the other driver’s insurer. That’s why many carriers don’t actively encourage higher SUM coverage, even though it’s one of the smartest protections you can buy.
In New York, insurance companies must offer at least $25,000 per person in SUM coverage. But serious injuries often cost far more than that.
Pro Tip: Purchase the highest SUM coverage you can reasonably afford. It’s a small investment compared to the devastating financial impact of being hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Important: Your SUM coverage cannot exceed your bodily injury liability coverage—the coverage that applies when you’re at fault. For example, if you want $100,000 in SUM protection, your bodily injury liability must also be at least $100,000.
Covers medical expenses beyond the at-fault driver’s policy
Protects against uninsured drivers who have no way to compensate you
Helps recover lost wages if you can’t work after the accident
Provides peace of mind knowing you have backup protection
If you’ve been injured in a New York car accident—especially by an uninsured or underinsured driver—time is critical. Insurance claims involving SUM coverage can be complex, and you’ll want an experienced New York personal injury lawyer on your side to ensure you receive the full auto accident compensation you’re entitled to.
At Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP, we have decades of experience representing injured drivers and passengers in auto accident claims, uninsured motorist lawsuits, and SUM coverage disputes.
📞 Call us now at 800-675-8556 for a free consultation and let us review your policy to ensure you’re protected.
Don’t wait until after a crash to find out you’re underinsured. Secure your coverage now!