Understanding Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Protecting yourself and your family when negligent drivers carry inadequate insurance—or none at all.
UMBI Coverage
Uninsured Motorist (Bodily Injury)
Protects you and your passengers if you are injured in an accident caused by a driver who has no auto insurance, or in a hit-and-run driver situation.
- Medical bills and hospital expenses
- Lost wages due to inability to work
- Pain and suffering compensation
- Applies to passengers in your vehicle
Key Detail: Standard liability insurance pays for damage you cause to others. UMBI steps in as your personal safety net when the fault party has no coverage.
UIMBI Coverage
Underinsured Motorist (Bodily Injury)
Applies when the driver at fault has liability insurance, but their policy limits are too low to cover the full cost of your injuries.
- Fills the gap between their limit and your actual medical costs
- Protects against state-minimum policies (e.g., $30k/$60k limits)
- Prevents severe out-of-pocket medical debt
Example: If you have $100k in medical bills and the at-fault driver carries only $30k in coverage, UIM helps cover the remaining balance up to your policy limit.
UMPD Coverage
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage
Pays for damage to your physical vehicle when hit by an identified, uninsured driver.
- Direct repair costs to your vehicle
- Waives your Collision deductible (with Collision Deductible Waiver / CDW)
- Typically capped at statutory limits (e.g., $3,500)
Important Note: If you already carry Collision insurance, you may not need standalone UMPD; a Collision Deductible Waiver (CDW) may be used instead.
Coverage Comparison Overview
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | When It Triggers | Typical Limit Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMBI | Medical, Lost Wages, Pain/Suffering | At-fault driver has NO insurance or Hit-and-Run | Matches your Auto Liability limits |
| UIMBI | Remaining Medical & Wage Loss Excess | At-fault driver's limits are EXCEEDED by your costs | Up to your selected UIM policy limit |
| UMPD | Physical Vehicle Damage / Deductible Waiver | At-fault driver is IDENTIFIED and UNINSURED | Capped limit (e.g., $3,500) or Deductible Waiver |
Are Your Auto Limits Adequate?
With thousands of drivers carrying state-minimum insurance or driving uninsured, having the right coverage limits is crucial. Take our liability risk review to evaluate your policy.
Complete Your Liability Risk Review