If you have been injured in an auto accident in Massachusetts, there is always the possibility of making an underinsured motorist claim. If the driver who caused your personal injuries does not have enough bodily injury (BI) coverage to cover the cost of your injuries, then you need to look to your auto insurance carrier for underinsured motorist benefits. But, before making such a claim, you need to be aware of something important: You cannot, per the standard Massachusetts automobile insurance contract, collect underinsured motorist benefits without first receiving permission from your auto insurance carrier prior to settling your claim with the other driver’s bodily injury carrier.
And also, you are only entitled to underinsured benefits if your coverage exceeds the bodily injury coverage of the driver who caused your injuries.