It has been over fifteen years since the South Carolina legislature has amended the South Carolina Financial Responsibility Act to increase the minimum limits of automobile insurance coverage drivers of cars and small trucks must have in order to comply with state law. At present, every insurer must write policies of liability and uninsured motorist coverage that provide for a minimum of $25,000.00 per person, $50,000.00 per accident, and $25,000.00 property damage (25/50/25).

In even a moderate impact collision, resulting in a fracture to one or more body parts emergency room charges are often in excess of $25,000.00 alone. That amount doesn’t cover ongoing medical expenses, or intangible damages a person is entitled to, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, alteration of lifestyle, permanent injury etc…, which a jury is instructed to consider in an automobile collision case where the injured, not at fault party has made a claim for compensatory/actual damages.

Minimum limits uninsured motorist (UM) coverage of 25/50/25 should also be increased in addition An economic analysis that considers current versus previous medical costs, as well as inflation and other factors will give legislators a rational basis to justify the amount of the minimum limits increase.