In this scenario, the maximum Joe can collect from Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage being $0 indicates that there may not be sufficient underinsurance on the other driver's policy to trigger any payment from Joe's UIM coverage.
Underinsured Motorist coverage is designed to protect an insured person when they are injured in an accident caused by a driver whose liability insurance limits are too low to cover the damages. However, if the at-fault driver's coverage limits are equal to or exceed the damages incurred by Joe, then Joe would not be entitled to any UIM benefits.
In this case, the answer reflects that the at-fault driver has sufficient coverage to address the damages Joe sustained, making Joe's UIM claim effectively null, resulting in a potential payout of $0 under his Personal Auto Policy’s Underinsured Motorist coverage. This emphasizes the importance of understanding the limits of both the at-fault driver's liability coverage and one's own UIM coverage in determining potential payouts after an accident.