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According to a 2021 study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), about one in eight drivers on the road did not have car insurance in 2019. Since state-required liability insurance doesn’t cover your own vehicle or injuries, how do you cover medical or repair bills after an accident with an uninsured driver? In these scenarios, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will protect you if you’re hit by someone without adequate insurance to cover the damages they caused.

How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage provides financial protection for repair or medical bills if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver. An uninsured driver is a person who operates a vehicle without carrying their state’s required liability insurance.

A driver’s liability insurance normally covers property damage and injuries they cause after an accident. However, if the at-fault driver does not carry insurance, you could be left to cover the bill yourself out-of-pocket. With uninsured motorist coverage, you close the gap between your own costs and the uninsured driver’s ability to pay for damages.

What About Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

When researching uninsured motorist coverage, you may have also encountered underinsured motorist insurance (UIM). When offered, these coverages are typically sold alongside one another as the coverages work in similar ways. The difference, however, is that underinsured motorist coverage is reserved for accidents with at-fault drivers with some insurance, but not enough to cover all associated costs. In these scenarios, the underinsured at-fault driver’s insurance will cover damages up to their policy limits, and your underinsured motorist coverage will cover the rest, up to your policy limits.

What Does Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Pay For?

So, what exactly does uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pay for? Depending on your state, uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance can be split up into the following coverages:

Accidents with uninsured motorists:

• Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) – pays for medical bills, lost wages, and funeral expenses for you and your passengers that result from the accident.
• Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) – if offered in your state, this coverage pays for damage to your car following an accident with an uninsured driver.

Accidents with underinsured motorists:

• Underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIMBI) – provides coverage when a driver causes a car accident but does not carry enough insurance to cover your medical bills, lost wages, or funeral expenses for you and your passengers.
• Underinsured motorist property damage (UIMPD) – provides coverage when a driver causes an accident but does not have enough coverage to cover your vehicle’s repair cost.

In most cases, uninsured motorist coverage limits will mirror liability coverage limits. For example, if you have liability bodily injury limits of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident (50/100), you would buy 50/100 in UMBI coverage. Additionally, some states may require a deductible for UMPD and UIMPD claims. However, UMBI and UIMBI do not typically require a deductible.

Does Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Cover Hit-and-Run Accidents? 

Some states may allow UMPD to cover vehicle damage from hit-and-run accidents, but not all. 

California, for example, only allows UMPD to cover hit-and-run accidents if the fleeing driver is identified. On the other hand, some carriers may not even offer UMPD in your state.

Without UMPD, you will need collision coverage to repair your car following a hit-and-run, which typically involves a deductible.

Should I Purchase Uninsured Motorist Coverage If I Have Health Insurance? 

You may wonder why you need UMBI coverage if you have health insurance. Although health insurance may cover your medical costs while in treatment, it may not cover any passengers in the car with you. Additionally, your health insurance may have a high deductible, whereas UMBI and UIMBI typically do not. UMBI/UIMBI may also cover lost wages if you cannot work following an accident.

Which States Require Uninsured Motorist Coverage? 

Uninsured motorist coverage isn’t required in every state. Most states may offer the coverage but will allow you to reject it in writing. You are required to purchase some form of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in the following states:

*Motorists in Virginia can pay an uninsured motor vehicle fee and are not required to purchase auto insurance. However, they will still be liable for damages if they cause an accident.

Purchasing Uninsured Motorist Coverage Will Keep You Protected

Even if uninsured motorist coverage isn’t required in your state, this affordable coverage may be well worth it to keep yourself fully protected. For example, according to the Insurance Research Council, approximately 12% of all drivers nationwide were uninsured in 2019 (the latest data available). However, the numbers vary significantly by state. For example, in the same study, 29.4% of drivers in Mississippi were estimated not to have insurance. Additionally, at least 20% of Michigan, Tennessee, New Mexico, Washington, and Florida drivers weren’t insured, either.

If you’d like to learn more about uninsured motorist insurance and how to find coverage, AIS can help. With over 55 years of experience in the insurance marketplace, AIS is dedicated to helping drivers find and compare auto insurance quotes from our network of trusted insurance partners. So if you’re ready, call us at (888) 772-4247 to speak with an insurance specialist or start a quote online.

The information in this article is obtained from various sources and offered for educational purposes only. Furthermore, it should not replace the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms, and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Did you know California has more national parks than any other state? With a total of 9 national parks, California offers adventurers plenty of natural landscapes to explore. Whether it’s visiting the forested areas of Sequoia or the coastal regions of the Channel Islands, no summer is complete without spending a day in the sun.

To help you decide which California national park is perfect for your summer getaway, we put together this guide highlighting the top characteristics of each. So, if you’re ready, grab your hiking boots and let’s explore!

California National Parks to Visit This Summer

1. Yosemite National Park 

Starting our list is a national park that needs no introduction: Yosemite. Located in eastern central California, Yosemite National Park is home to some of the state’s most famous natural landscapes, including Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls.

Yosemite’s history begins in 1864 when California first recognized it as a state park. However, it wasn’t until 1890 that the area was officially classified as a national park, becoming the 3rd in the United States behind Yellowstone and Sequoia.

Summer is one of the most popular times in Yosemite. Because of this, lodging and cabin reservations are typically fully booked months in advance. Although a permit is required to camp, you do not need a permit or reservation to visit the park for a day, only an entrance pass. Yosemite’s entrance pass ranges from $20 to $35, depending on your vehicle. An annual entrance pass is also available for $70.  

Most facilities should be open during the summer, but be aware that the area can experience high temperatures in the 90s, especially during July and August.

Things to Do in Yosemite National Park During Summer:

2. Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park became California’s first national park—and the Unites States’ second—in 1890, just a week before Yosemite. Today, the national park receives around a million visitors annually from across the world.

When visiting, you’ll marvel at the gigantic Sequoia trees that the park is named after. In fact, the park’s General Sherman Tree is considered to be the largest living tree in the world by volume. At over 275 feet tall, General Sherman is around 2,200 years old and has a trunk that is roughly 100 feet wide.

Although one of the state’s most popular parks, Sequoia doesn’t receive the same number of crowds as Yosemite. However, we recommend booking a camping reservation in advance to guarantee your space. Consider staying at the Potwisha or Lodgepole Campgrounds when camping to be around most park attractions. To enter Sequoia National Park, you’ll pay an entry fee that ranges from $20 to $30, depending on your vehicle.  

Unfortunately, many areas within the park suffered damage during the 2023 winter storms. However, according to the park’s website, officials believe many areas will reopen by July.

Things to Do in Sequoia National Park During Summer: 

3. Kings Canyon National Park

Next on our list is a park directly connected to Sequoia: Kings Canyon National Park. Known for its massive trees and the Kings River, Kings Canyon National Park became America’s 26th national park in 1940.

Kings Canyon and Sequoia are technically two separate parks, but they’re close enough to each other for visitors to explore within the same day. Kings Canyon is the larger of the two, but it typically has fewer visitors than Sequoia.

One of the park’s major attractions is the General Grant Tree. Known as the Nation’s Christmas Tree and the second largest tree on the planet, this tree stands 267 feet tall with a trunk width of nearly 30 feet. The General Grant Tree resides in the Grant Grove section of the national park, home to various other giant sequoias.

Things to Do in Kings Canyon National Park During Summer: 

4. Lassen Volcanic National Park

If the largest trees in the world don’t catch your attention, how about volcanos?

Located on California’s northeastern corner is Lassen Volcanic National Park, home to all four types of volcanoes in the world—composite, shield, cinder cone, and plug dome. The most recent eruption in the area was the Lassen Peak Eruption, which took place from 1914 to 1917. Although the area’s volcanos have been in deep sleep as of late, experts still consider the site to be volcanically active beneath the surface.  

Due to its location, most of Lassen’s campgrounds are closed during winter. However, campgrounds do begin opening up by mid-June after the snowmelt. With hot springs, rugged mountain peaks, and crystal-clear lakes, there is endless beauty to enjoy in Lassen Volcanic National Park. As a bonus, this destination isn’t as popular as other parks on our list, so you won’t have to worry about too many crowds.  

Although the area was heavily damaged in the 2021 Dixie Fire, most of the park has reopened to visitors according to the National Park Service.  

Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park During Summer: 

5. Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is located 5 hours north of San Francisco. Despite how far it may be, the drive is worth it to immerse yourself in the park’s massive redwood trees.

Redwood National Park is home to the world’s tallest tree, known as Hyperion, which stands at a whopping 379 feet. These trees are much narrower than those found in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, so although Hyperion is the tallest, it isn’t the largest (by volume).

Redwood National Park is an excellent destination for exploring because of its connection to 3 smaller California state parks. Plus, due to its coastal location, summer temperatures in the area typically remain on the cooler side.

Things to Do in Redwood National Park During Summer: 

6. Channel Islands National Park

What screams summer more than relaxing on an island?

Channel Islands National Park is a chain of five islands located off the coast of Southern California. Unlike any other destination on our list, the Channel Islands are a remote natural environment home to animals you won’t find anywhere else.

The five islands you can visit are Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara, with Santa Cruz being the most popular.

To get to the Channel Islands, you’ll first need to head toward Ventura and purchase a boat ticket from Island Packers, the official boat concessionaire for the Channel Islands. Day fares will cost around $31.50 each way or $40 if you plan to stay the night. Because there are limited to no amenities, you’ll have to pack everything you need for the trip. Unfortunately, you can only find potable water at the Water Canyon Campground on Santa Rosa Island and the Scorpion Canyon Campground on Santa Cruz Island. To learn more about the camping restrictions, click here.  

Things to do in Channel Islands National Park During Summer:

What About Pinnacles, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree National Parks?

Although California is home to 9 national parks, during summer you may want to avoid the 3 that experience extreme heat. Day temperatures can easily exceed 100 degrees at the Pinnacles, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree National Parks. If you do decide to trek towards any of these this summer, pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and shade protection to shield yourself from the hot sun.

Stay Protected No Matter Where You Go

As with any extended trip, ensuring your vehicle is in good shape is important to avoid any breakdowns or delays. Additionally, always review your auto insurance policy to confirm you have the proper coverage. Adding roadside assistance to your policy could come in handy if you experience any mechanical issues during your trip in a remote location. To learn more about the coverages available to you, give our insurance specialists a call at (888) 772-4247.

The information in this article is obtained from various sources and is offered for educational purposes. Furthermore, it should not replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Creating and promoting a safe working environment for employees should be a top priority for business owners. Not only does it protect their well-being, and mitigates the risk of workplace accidents and injuries, ultimately helping you avoid costly workers’ comp claims. By implementing effective safety measures and providing thorough training, you can promote a culture of safety within your organization. Our tips teach you how to enhance workplace safety and safeguard your business from potential risks.

Complying With OSHA Rules

Prioritizing a safe work environment is the right thing to do and a legal requirement outlined by OSHA. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency within the Department of Labor. Its goal is to establish clear and precise safety rules and ensure all workplaces remain safe and accident-free. Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to severe consequences, including fines and legal issues. If you are uncertain about the safety standards of your workplace, request a free on-site consultation from OSHA to resolve any possible safety issues.

7 Simple Steps For a Safer Workplace

Employee safety should always be a top concern, no matter your industry. Here are seven ways you can improve workplace safety.

1. Wear Proper Uniforms and Protective Gear

Proper uniform and protective gear play a vital role in ensuring workplace safety. It serves as the first line of defense against hazards, such as physical injuries, chemical exposure, extreme temperatures, and other occupational risks. Additionally, uniforms can provide visibility and identification, especially in a busy work environment. By prioritizing proper uniforms and protective gear, you can demonstrate your commitment to your employee’s well-being and create a safer work environment for everyone.

2. Keep Things Clean

A clutter-free and well-organized workplace reduces the risk of slips, falls, and trips. To ensure workplace safety, business owners should implement regular cleaning schedules, provide proper storage solutions, and encourage employees to keep their workstations tidy. Conducting routine inspections and addressing potential hazards will contribute to a safer environment and minimize the risk of workplace injuries.

3. Accident-Proofing Your Environment

Taking proactive measures to accident-proof your building can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and promote a safe workplace. While the specific actions will depend on your industry and work environment, there are several steps you can take. Consider installing lighted walkways and ensuring proper signage for a clear pathway, implementing handrails and non-slip flooring in areas prone to slip and falls, and prioritizing ventilation and adequate lighting to enhance visibility. Additionally, ergonomic workstations should be provided to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.

4. Use Labels and Signs

Clear and visible signage helps employees easily identify potential hazards, emergency exits, and rules. They are a cheap and functional way to communicate important information. Remember that signs are only effective if they are clear, concise, easy to understand, and placed strategically where they will be noticed. Regularly inspect and replace signs immediately if damaged or outdated.5.

5. Designate Emergency Exits

Whenever you board a plane, you’re shown the emergency exit doors and procedures before taking off. This crucial practice ensures everyone knows where to find the nearest exit and what to do in an emergency. Similarly, conducting fire drills and other exercises in the workplace can help remind employees of the closest exit and emergency procedures. Make sure to maintain clear pathways to exits, have readily accessible first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and defibrillators, and that employees know how to work them.

6. Perform Regular Equipment Inspections

Implementing regular equipment checks, cleaning, and maintenance are essential to prevent injuries and maintain a safe working environment. By performing routine inspections, you can proactively identify and address potential hazards or malfunctions in your equipment before they lead to accidents. These regular checks ensure that your machinery and tools are in optimal working condition and minimize production delays. It’s equally important to log all accidents and equipment failures for ongoing reporting and help detect future equipment issues.

7. Keep an Open Dialogue About Safety

Encourage your team to share their opinions, report any hazards they encounter, and provide feedback on the effectiveness of existing safety measures and protocols. While fostering a culture of safety is important, employees who do not follow proper protocols must be addressed. Offer them the opportunity to comply and follow procedures, but if they fail to do so, it may be necessary to take appropriate disciplinary action. Remember, workplace safety is the responsibility of both individual workers and the workforce as a whole.

Protect Yourself and Your Employees With Workers’ Comp

Accidents can happen in any workplace, regardless of how careful you strive to be. Unfortunately, these accidents can result in injuries, illnesses, and even fatalities, leading to potential financial and legal consequences. That’s why having Workers’ Compensation Insurance is crucial in protecting you and your workers. Speak with one of our Commercial Insurance Specialists today at (855) 919-4247 for a quick and easy workers’ compensation quote and ensure you have the necessary coverage to support your employees and safeguard your business.

The information in this article is obtained from various sources and offered for educational purposes only. Furthermore, it should not replace the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms, and coverage in a given policy may differ from those suggested here. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.