New York Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney

Changes to New York’s SUM Insurance Law

In 2018, a new SUM insurance law signed by Governor Cuomo came into effect. The new law carried several key changes for New York drivers.

Below are some things you should know about the recent change to New York’s SUM insurance laws:

• Your SUM coverage must now match your bodily injury coverage, unless you choose to opt out. Before, you could choose to have a higher bodily injury limit and a lower SUM limit; now, your SUM coverage must match your bodily injury coverage unless you specifically state otherwise.
• Additional SUM coverage to match your bodily injury coverage will carry additional costs, meaning you will pay more in insurance under the new law for increased SUM coverage unless you choose to opt out.
• To opt out, you will need to tell your insurance provider that you do not wish to increase your SUM coverage. You should receive a waiver from your insurance provider; be sure to ask for and keep a copy of this waiver for your records.
• Your insurance provider is also now required to notify you of additional SUM coverage each year. This means they must inform you of SUM limits and various options you have to increase your coverage.

Changes in New York’s SUM insurance laws only apply to new insurance policies purchased after June 16, 2018.

Why You Need an Attorney

It’s important to seek legal advice when filing an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim. Notably, if you accept a settlement after an auto accident without your insurance company’s approval, your insurance company can immediately terminate your SUM coverage without payment. If you were involved in a car crash, reach out to our New York UM/SUM attorney before speaking to the insurance company or accepting any settlement offer.

Our founding partner, Jason Paris, can help you maximize your recovery and avoid mistakes that can result in your insurance company denying your claim. We can also help you file an uninsured or SUM claim if you are an injured pedestrian or bicyclist.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

At The Paris Law Group, PC, we realize just how stressful and overwhelming it is to be involved in any type of motor vehicle accident. When the other driver flees the scene or doesn’t have adequate insurance to cover your losses, you are likely to face additional worries about how you are going to be able to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

We encourage you to reach out to our legal team as soon as possible to discuss your situation with a compassionate, experienced, and highly knowledgeable attorney. At The Paris Law Group, PC, our goal is to help make you whole again.