Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Explained
The coverage gap many drivers forget
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can help when another driver causes a crash but lacks enough liability insurance. You typically claim under your own policy, subject to your limits and policy terms.
Common scenarios
- Hit-and-run collisions where the other vehicle is never identified (rules vary)
- Drivers carrying state-minimum limits that do not cover hospital bills
- Out-of-state drivers with sparse coverage
What UM/UIM usually does not do
It is not a blank check. Policies exclude certain vehicles, require timely notice, and may stack or not stack depending on state law and endorsements. Property damage UM is separate from bodily injury UM in many policies.
Questions to ask your insurer
- What are my UM/UIM bodily injury limits?
- Do I have UM property damage?
- Are there offsets for PIP or health insurance payments?
- What documentation do you need before evaluating a UM claim?
If a serious injury is involved, legal counsel can help interpret stacking, offsets, and settlement language before you sign releases.