There’s a new auto insurance law in Maryland that took effect on July 1, 2018 – it’s Maryland Annotated Code Insurance Section 19-509.1, titled Enhanced Underinsured Motorist Coverage (“EUIM”).  This new law allows “stacking” of insurance, and Enhanced UIM can be added to new auto policies issued in Maryland as of July 1, 2018.
 
But you have to purchase it.  Enhanced UIM is not automatic.
 
If you purchase Enhanced UIM, you and others in your car will be better protected if seriously injured in car crash with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance.
 
Enhanced UIM coverage prohibits your auto insurance company from reducing your UIM coverage by the amount of a policy limit offer made by the other driver’s insurance company.  ( Md. Code Ins. § 19-501.1(h)(2)). This means you will be allowed to “stack” your Enhanced UIM coverage on top of a policy limit offer from the other driver’s insurance company.
 
Here’s an example:  suppose the other driver has a $50,000 policy limit and you have a $100,000 UIM policy limit.  Under the regular UIM statute, you could recover $50,000 from the other driver’s insurance company and then up to $50,000 from your own company ($100,000 – $50,000) for UIM benefits. Under the new Enhanced UIM statute, however, you could recover $50,000 from the other driver’s insurance company and then ADD the full $100,000 from your own insurance company for a total recovery of $150,000 – depending, of course, on your damages.
 
You might be able to add EUIM coverage on existing Maryland auto policies as of July 1, 2018 depending on your auto insurance carrier.
 
So take a few minutes today and call your auto insurance company or agent to add Enhanced Underinsured Motorist  Coverage to your existing auto policy.  It is well worth it.
 
Dedicated to protecting and advancing your legal rights,