Uninsured Motorist Coverage

What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Texas?

Insurance companies offer a type of coverage known as uninsured motorist coverage, often abbreviated as UM or UIM. The specific purpose of this insurance is to protect you and your passengers when you are involved in an accident with a driver who either has no liability insurance or does not carry enough coverage to pay for your injuries and damages. In Texas, all auto insurance policies must include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage unless the policyholder specifically rejects it in writing.

Why Do You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

The Texas Department of Insurance estimates that roughly one in five drivers on Texas roads is uninsured. In the San Antonio metro area, the percentage may be even higher. If an uninsured driver causes an accident that leaves you with serious injuries, their lack of insurance means there is no liability policy to pay your medical bills, lost wages, or other damages.

Underinsured motorist coverage is equally important. Texas only requires drivers to carry minimum liability limits of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. A single emergency room visit after a serious car accident can exceed $30,000, leaving you with a significant gap between the at-fault driver’s policy limits and your actual expenses. UM/UIM coverage fills that gap using your own policy.

Types of Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Texas recognizes two forms of uninsured motorist protection:

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage applies when the at-fault driver carries no auto liability insurance at all. It also covers hit-and-run accidents where the other driver cannot be identified.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are not enough to cover the full extent of your damages.

Both types can include bodily injury protection and, depending on your policy, property damage coverage. Stacking is another option available in some policies, which allows you to combine UM/UIM limits from multiple vehicles on the same policy for a higher total payout.

Filing an Uninsured Motorist Claim

As with most issues related to auto insurance companies, simply having an uninsured motorist insurance policy is not enough to guarantee you will receive full compensation. When you file a UM or UIM claim, you are making a demand against your own insurance company. Despite the fact that you have been paying premiums for this exact scenario, your insurer may still try to minimize or deny your claim.

Common tactics include disputing the severity of your injuries, arguing that your medical treatment was excessive, or claiming that a pre-existing condition is responsible for your symptoms. Since these types of denials are more common than most people realize, it is important to speak with a lawyer before accepting any settlement offer from your own insurance company.

What to Do After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver

If you are hit by a driver who has no insurance, take the following steps to protect your health and your legal rights:

Call 911 and request a police report documenting the accident
Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor
Collect the other driver’s name, contact information, and vehicle details
Take photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries
Notify your own insurance company that the at-fault driver is uninsured
Contact a San Antonio car accident attorney before giving a recorded statement

Compensation Available Through a UM/UIM Claim

An uninsured motorist claim allows you to recover the same types of damages you would pursue through a third-party liability claim. Depending on the facts of your case and your policy limits, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. If the uninsured driver’s conduct was particularly reckless, additional damages may be available under Texas law.

How a San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

One of the biggest benefits of uninsured motorist coverage is that it allows you to recover compensation even when the at-fault driver has no way to pay. However, navigating a UM/UIM claim against your own insurer requires legal experience and a thorough understanding of Texas insurance law.

At the Law Offices of Ronald A. Ramos, P.C., our attorneys have decades of experience handling insurance disputes and uninsured motorist claims in San Antonio and throughout South Texas. We fight to make sure our clients receive every dollar their policy entitles them to. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Law Offices of Ronald A. Ramos, P.C.

1844 Lockhill Selma Rd #102
San Antonio, TX 78213
Phone: (210) 308-8811