Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Seniors in Arkansas
Arkansas doesn't require uninsured motorist coverage, but for an older driver it often covers losses that health insurance and liability coverage won't.
It's worth carrying, and Arkansas lets you decline it in writing only
Uninsured motorist coverage pays when the other driver has no insurance or not enough of it, and in Arkansas insurers have to offer it with every policy unless you reject it in writing. For an older driver it matters because recovery from an injury takes longer and costs more, and if the at-fault driver can't pay, this is the coverage that steps in for you.
It doesn't depend on your age or your driving record. It depends on whether you signed the form declining it, and whether the limits you carry are high enough to matter if you're seriously hurt. Check your declarations page for a line that says uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and if it's missing, call your insurer and ask why.
Your health insurance doesn't cover what this does
Medicare or a supplement plan pays medical bills, but it doesn't pay for lost income, pain and suffering, or the gap between what your own medical coverage pays and what the accident actually costs you. Uninsured motorist coverage is meant to fill that gap, and for a retired driver without wage replacement from an employer, the lost-income piece may not apply, but the rest still does.
If you're hit by a driver with no insurance and you have no uninsured motorist coverage, you're left to sue that driver directly to recover anything beyond your own medical payments coverage, if you have that too. Suing someone with no insurance usually means they have no money either, which is why this coverage exists in the first place.
Arkansas requires insurers to offer both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Underinsured matters just as much, since plenty of drivers carry only the state minimum liability limits, which can run out quickly after a serious injury.
The limits you choose matter more than whether you have the coverage at all
Most policies default to uninsured motorist limits that match your liability limits, but you can usually ask for higher ones. A low limit can still leave you short if the injury is serious, since medical costs and recovery time tend to run higher as people get older.
Some insurers also sell stacked uninsured motorist coverage, which lets you combine the limits across multiple vehicles on your policy. If you have more than one car insured, ask whether your policy is stacked, since that can meaningfully raise what's available after a claim.
If you or your agent lowered this coverage in the past to save on premium, it's worth asking what it would cost to raise it back. For many older drivers the relatively small difference in premium is worth the larger protection if the other driver has nothing to offer.
Questions people ask about this
does Arkansas require uninsured motorist coverage?
No, but insurers must offer it on every policy and you have to decline it in writing if you don't want it. Check your policy documents for a signed rejection form if you're not sure whether you have it.
what's the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when they have insurance but their liability limits aren't enough to cover your losses. Arkansas requires insurers to offer both.
does uninsured motorist coverage pay for my car or just injuries?
It depends on the policy and what you've purchased. Some uninsured motorist coverage is limited to bodily injury, while property damage from an uninsured driver may be handled separately through your collision coverage. Ask your insurer which parts of your policy apply to vehicle damage.
can my insurer drop this coverage without telling me?
No, an insurer can't remove coverage you've paid for without your agreement, but coverage can lapse or change at renewal if you don't review the declarations page. Read your renewal notice closely each year to see what's listed.
will raising my uninsured motorist limits raise my premium a lot?
It depends on the insurer and the limits you're moving to, since this coverage is usually priced lower than liability coverage. Ask your insurer for a quote at a few different limit levels before deciding.
See what other insurers would charge to raise or add this coverage before you decide what to keep.
Pull out your current auto policy and find the declarations page, which lists what coverage you have and at what limits. Look for a line labeled uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and check whether it matches your liability limits or sits lower. If you don't see it listed, call your insurer and ask whether you signed a rejection form, and if so, whether you can add the coverage back now. While you're at it, ask whether your policy offers stacking if you insure more than one vehicle. Then compare what a few other insurers would charge for the same coverage, since limits and pricing for this benefit vary by company.
