What would happen if someone with no insurance hits you?
Terrifying concept. You pay your premiums every month like you should. Someone racks up your bumper and they have no money in the bank to help pay for repairs.
Here’s the problem:
There are more uninsured drivers on the road than ever before. And if one of them hits you, their insurance doesn’t pay your bills. The bills still have to be paid. Without proper coverage, that could mean you.
That’s where uninsured motorist coverage steps in. It covers you when the other driver won’t (or can’t).
Let’s break it down…
In This Article:
- What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
- Why Injury Victims Need It
- What This Coverage Actually Pays For
- When You Should Speak To A Lawyer
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage (also known as UM) is coverage provided under your auto policy that will cover your losses when struck by an uninsured driver.
Simple, right?
Consider it your secondary insurance. If another driver wrecks into you, typically their insurance company will cover your medical expenses and car repair costs. But if that driver doesn’t have insurance, who do you collect from? Their insurance company? No insurance equals no insurance company to pay your bills. That’s where your UM coverage comes in.
Finally, there’s underinsured motorist coverage. This covers you when the other driver has insurance, but not enough to cover all your expenses. This and uninsured motorist coverage typically come together on the same policy.
Nobody ever wants to deal with a negligent driver like this. But if you do suffer an injury at the hands of this type of driver, having competent legal counsel early in the process can mean everything. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you review your policy, communicate with your insurance company on your behalf, and ensure that you actually receive compensation for your injuries resulting from an automobile accident.
Why does this insurance matter so much? Let’s talk numbers. Per a 2023 industry report, one in seven drivers are uninsured. That means 1 in 7 people that can cause an accident with you may not have insurance to pay for damages.
And it’s getting worse, not better.
Why Injury Victims Need It
If you are injured in an accident, expenses can quickly add up. Medical bills. Lost wages. Rehabilitation. Perhaps long-term care.
Now picture doing all of that without an insurance company on the other side reimbursing you.
That’s exactly the situation UM coverage is designed to protect you from. And it’s more common than you might realize.
Uninsured drivers have become more common over the past few years. They increased from approximately 11.6% in 2019 to 15.4% in 2023. Many Americans have opted to go without coverage due to increasing prices and budget cuts.
Here’s why that should worry you:
When an uninsured driver is at fault and you lack UM coverage, your options begin and end fairly quickly. You can pay your bills yourself, or sue the at-fault driver. But here’s the hard truth… If they can’t afford insurance, they probably can’t afford a large settlement, either.
That means even if you win in court, you might never see the money.
Frankly, most people don’t know how beneficial this coverage is until they suffer an injury.
What This Coverage Actually Pays For
So what does uninsured motorist coverage actually cover? Let’s take a closer look.
Most UM policies are split into two parts:
- Bodily injury coverage – Pays for your medical costs, lost income and pain and suffering if the other driver doesn’t have insurance and hurts you.
- Property damage coverage: Covers costs to repair or replace your car after the accident.
They’re not all required together. Some states only require the bodily injury liability portion. So it’s helpful to know what your policy specifically covers.
Here’s some good news though…
This insurance is incredibly cheap. On average uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage costs about $50 annually. That’s cheap for coverage that can protect you from thousands of dollars in expenses.
In many states, UM coverage also protects you in situations like:
- Hit-and-run accidents where the driver flees the scene
- Being struck as a pedestrian by an uninsured driver
- Accidents where you’re a passenger in someone else’s car
Pretty valuable, right?
The most important thing to keep in mind is that this insurance travels WITH you, not just in your car. This means you are frequently covered more often than you realize.
When You Should Speak To A Lawyer
Not every crash needs a lawyer. But some absolutely do.
Serious injuries, or denial or delay tactics by an insurance company are good indicators you need professional assistance.
Consider reaching out to a legal professional when:
- Your injuries are serious or long-lasting
- The insurance company is offering you far less than your bills
- There’s a dispute over who was actually at fault
- You’re dealing with a hit-and-run driver
Here’s something a lot of people get wrong…
They think filing a UM claim with their own insurance company will be a breeze. It’s your insurance company. They have your back, right?
Not always.
Your insurance company doesn’t want to pay you any more than they have to. That’s how business is. They will look for every reason to deny your injuries, low-ball your claim or drag their feet in hope you will just go away.
An experienced attorney is aware of all these tactics and how to defend against them. They do the paperwork, collect the evidence and negotiate aggressively while you work on healing.
That’s a win-win.
Final Thoughts
Uninsured motorist coverage is one of those things on your policy that you hope you never need. For personal injury victims, it can mean the difference between making whole and drowning in bills that weren’t your fault.
To quickly recap:
- UM coverage protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance
- The number of uninsured drivers is rising every year
- It pays for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage
- It’s cheap to add but incredibly valuable when you need it
- A good lawyer can help you get the full amount you deserve
There are too many uninsured drivers on the road. You can’t prevent others from driving carelessly. However, you can ensure you have adequate coverage if they do.
Review your policy today. Ensure you have uninsured motorist coverage. You want to know you are covered before you get into an accident.
