Underinsured Motorist Coverage: your Secret Weapon to Protect Your Family After a Wreck
You pay your car insurance premium every month, drive carefully, and keep your family safe. But what happens when another driver isn’t as responsible?
If you get hit by a driver who carries only the bare minimum insurance required by law, you could be left holding the bill for thousands of dollars in medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
That’s where Underinsured Motorist (UM) Coverage comes in. It’s one of the most powerful—and affordable—safeguards available to drivers today.
Here is what you need to know about how UM coverage works, why it matters, and how it can protect your family’s financial future.
What Is Underinsured Motorist (UM) Coverage?
Underinsured Motorist coverage is an optional addition to your personal auto policy. While uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you’re hit by someone with no insurance, underinsured coverage kicks in when the driver at fault has insurance, but not enough to pay for all the damage they caused.
Think of it as a safety net you buy for yourself and your loved ones. When the at-fault driver’s insurance runs out, your own UM policy steps in to make up the difference.
How Does UM Coverage Work (and When Does It Get Triggered)?
Imagine you are in a serious accident caused by a negligent driver. Your medical bills, missed time at work, and long-term recovery costs total $100,000.
The driver who hit you only carries the state minimum liability limit of $25,000. Their insurance company will pay out their full $25,000 policy limit—and not a penny more.
Now you are left with a $75,000 gap.
This is the exact moment your UM coverage is triggered. Because the driver’s policy falls short of your actual damages, you file a claim under your own UM policy to cover the remaining balance up to your policy limits.
Understanding How UM Limits Work
In many states, UM coverage acts as a supplemental layer. Generally, the third-party driver’s coverage amount is accounted for, and your UM policy covers the rest up to your selected limit.
Important to know: Because this is your insurance policy that you pay for, your insurer has a contractual duty to provide coverage according to the terms of your policy.
Why Is UM Coverage So Important for Families?
Car accidents can alter a family's financial security overnight. UM coverage provides crucial peace of mind for several reasons:
Protects Your Hard-Earned Assets: If you have savings, a home, or a safe-driving family to protect, an underinsured driver shouldn't be allowed to wipe out your financial stability.
Covers Severe Injuries: Major wrecks often involve surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation that far exceed minimum policy limits.
Closes the Coverage Gap: It ensures that a negligent driver’s bad decision to carry minimum insurance doesn't become your financial burden.
How Injury Attorneys Use UM Coverage to Maximize Your Recovery
When evaluating the strength of a personal injury case, experienced plaintiff attorneys don't just look at who caused the wreck—they search every possible avenue for insurance coverage to compensate you fairly.
When an at-fault driver has insufficient coverage:
Attorneys use your UM policy to boost the total value of your case.
They negotiate directly with your insurer to ensure your contract is honored.
They make sure all available policy dollars—from both the driver at fault and your own policy—are brought to the table to maximize your total settlement or award.
Without checking for UM coverage, you might walk away with a fraction of what your case is truly worth.
Big Protection, Low Cost: "Bang for Your Buck"
Here’s the best part: adding Underinsured Motorist coverage to your policy is surprisingly inexpensive.
For just a few extra dollars a month, you can add tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in coverage. It is easily one of the highest "bang for your buck" insurance investments you can make to safeguard your family.
What Should You Do Next?
Call Your Insurance Broker: Contact a qualified insurance agent or broker today and review your policy limits. Ask to add or increase your Underinsured Motorist (UM) coverage to a level that truly protects your family.
Review Your Policy After a Wreck: If you or a family member have already been injured in an accident, don't assume the at-fault driver's insurance is the only money available.
Hurt in a Wreck? Let Maucere Law Group Help You Recover
Navigating insurance policies, liability limits, and UM claims after an accident can be overwhelming. At Maucere Law Group, our trial lawyers know how to dig into every policy detail, identify all available coverage, and fight to maximize your recovery.
If you’ve been injured in an accident and want to know if you have UM coverage—or how we can use it to build a stronger case for you—we are here to help.
Contact Maucere Law Group Today to Schedule Your FREE Consultation