Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance
What happens when you’re hit by an uninsured driver or someone who doesn’t have adequate coverage? Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance can help financially protect you.
What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance?
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist insurance, sometimes shortened to UM/UIM coverage, is an additional coverage that can be added to your auto insurance policy. If you’re in an accident with a driver that doesn’t have enough, or any, insurance, UM/UIM coverage from Westfield can help pay for:
- Medical bills for you and your passengers
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Additionally, if you’re a victim of a hit-and-run accident, UM/UIM coverage can also help with these costs.
What Is the Difference Between Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance?
While both coverage types may cover expenses when you’re in an accident that is not your fault, there is a key difference between these coverages.
As the name implies, uninsured motorist (UM) insurance helps protect you if you’re hit by someone without insurance. Similarly, underinsured motorist insurance (UIM) helps protect against at-fault drivers whose liability limits are too low to cover the associated expenses. Typically, the at-fault driver’s insurance pays bodily injury up to their policy limits while your UIM insurance may cover the rest, depending on your limits.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Insurance Work?
Imagine you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured driver, and the accident caused $10,000 worth of damage to your vehicle. With UM coverage, you won’t be financially responsible for damages that aren’t your fault.
But what if the driver was underinsured? Let’s say the driver has only $5,000 of coverage. In this scenario, your UIM insurance would kick in to cover the additional $5,000.
Types of Uninsured Motorist Insurance
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage breaks down into two coverage types:
Property Damage Coverage – Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage may pay for damages to your car and other property, as well as your rental car costs.
Property Damage Coverage – Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage may pay for damages to your car and other property, as well as your rental car costs.
Discover More Coverage Options
Roadside Assistance
Loan/Lease Gap Insurance
Umbrella Coverage
Expand Your Auto Coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
While not all states require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, it’s usually a good idea to add it to your auto policy. Driving without this coverage is a serious risk as you could be held responsible for your own medical expenses and repair costs.
Your Westfield agent can help you determine which coverage is required in your state.
If your insurance company had to cover losses for an accident that wasn’t your fault, they may decide to attempt to recoup some of those losses from the uninsured driver. Whether an insurance company chooses to pursue reimbursement often depends on how much time and money it would take to recover the losses.
In some instances, health insurance overlaps with UMBI and UIMBI coverage. If UMBI and UIMBI coverages are optional in your state, be sure to consider the following:
- UMBI and UIMBI coverages generally don’t have a deductible while health insurance plans typically do.
- Your passengers may not have their own health insurance, and UMBI and UIMBI coverage will help protect them.
- UMBI and UIMBI coverages may cover lost wages and other damages that might not be covered by your health insurance plan.
While collision coverage and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage may help cover damage to your car caused by an uninsured driver, there are a couple of differences.
- Collision coverage may pay for damages to your car, regardless of who is at fault.
- UMPD coverage may cover damages to your car up to a specific limit when caused by an uninsured driver.
All coverages are subject to the limits, deductibles, and exclusions set forth in your policy.