Uninsured Motorist Coverage in California: What You Need to Know Before It’s Too Late
It’s one of the most important types of coverage in your auto insurance policy — and yet, most California drivers don’t even realize they have it (or worse, that they’ve waived it without understanding the risks).
It’s called uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) — and if you’re ever hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough of it, this coverage could be the only thing standing between you and a mountain of unpaid medical bills.
Here’s what every California driver needs to know — before it’s too late.
What Is Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage?
UM and UIM are optional coverages on your California auto insurance policy designed to protect you — not the other driver.
- Uninsured Motorist (UM): Covers your injuries and losses if the at-fault driver has no insurance
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM): Kicks in when the at-fault driver’s insurance limits are too low to cover all your damages
These coverages apply to:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral expenses (in fatal accidents)
- Sometimes property damage, if you have UMPD (Uninsured Motorist Property Damage)
Why Is This So Important in California?
According to the Insurance Research Council, approximately 1 in 6 drivers in California is uninsured. In certain parts of Los Angeles County, that number may be even higher.
That means you have a real chance of being hit by someone who can’t afford to pay for your injuries — even if they were clearly at fault.
And here’s the harsh reality: if the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance, you can’t recover from them directly unless they have assets (which is unlikely if they’re uninsured). In most cases, you’re out of luck — unless you have UM/UIM.
How Does It Work in a Real-Life Crash?
Let’s say you’re rear-ended by another driver in LA. You suffer a concussion and a herniated disc. Your medical bills are $45,000 — plus you’ve missed two months of work.
Now imagine:
- The other driver has no insurance: Your UM coverage steps in to pay what their policy would have.
- The other driver has only the state minimum ($15,000 per person): Your UIM coverage can pay the remaining $30,000 — if your limits are high enough.
- You waived UM/UIM when you bought your policy: You may be left covering those costs out-of-pocket.
This is not just financial protection — it’s peace of mind.
Don’t Assume You Have It — Many People Waive It Without Realizing
In California, insurance companies are required to offer you UM/UIM coverage — but you’re also allowed to waive it in writing.
A lot of people do this to lower their premiums, without fully understanding what they’re giving up. It’s not until they’re injured in a crash with an uninsured driver that they realize they’ve signed away their safety net.
How Much Coverage Should You Carry?
You can only purchase UM/UIM coverage up to your liability limits. So if your liability coverage is $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident — your UM/UIM can match that.
Most personal injury attorneys recommend carrying at least $100,000 in UM/UIM if you can afford it. In serious accidents, even basic emergency care can cost far more than that — and long-term injuries can result in six-figure losses.
What If You’re a Passenger in a Rideshare or Someone Else’s Car?
Good news: if you’re injured as a passenger in a friend’s vehicle or an Uber/Lyft, your own UM/UIM coverage can still apply — even though you weren’t the driver. This includes:
- Pedestrians hit by an uninsured driver
- Cyclists hit by an underinsured driver
- Passengers in someone else’s car if the at-fault driver lacks coverage
As long as you’re covered under your own auto policy, UM/UIM follows you, not just your vehicle.
How to Check If You’re Covered
Review your declarations page — the part of your insurance policy that lists your coverage types and limits. Look for:
- UMBI (Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury)
- UIM (Underinsured Motorist)
- UMPD (Uninsured Motorist Property Damage)
If those line items show “Waived” or "$0", it means you don’t have this coverage — and you should call your insurer to discuss adding it.
Protect Yourself Now — Not After the Accident
UM/UIM coverage is relatively inexpensive compared to the protection it provides. Adding or increasing it on your policy can often be done with a quick call to your insurance company — and the peace of mind is worth every penny.
Accidents happen. The other driver might not have insurance. But that doesn’t mean you should be left holding the bill.
Have Questions About UM/UIM Coverage After a Crash?
If you were injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver in California, you may still have options — but time matters, and policies can be complex.
Call Lawyer Gigi today for a free consultation.
We’ll review your situation, explain your insurance coverage, and fight to make sure you’re not stuck with expenses that should be covered — even if the other driver had nothing.
