Why Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Matters

Most drivers carry car insurance because the law requires it — but not everyone carries enough. That’s where Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage comes in. It’s one of the most important (and most misunderstood) protections on your policy.

What Is UIM Coverage?

UIM coverage protects you if you’re injured in a crash caused by another driver who doesn’t have insurance — or doesn’t have enough to cover your losses. It steps in to pay for things like:

• Medical bills

• Lost wages

• Pain and suffering

• Other expenses related to your injuries

Without it, you could be left paying out-of-pocket for damages caused by someone else’s negligence.

Why It’s So Important

Even though Indiana law requires drivers to carry liability insurance, many don’t — and others carry only the state minimum of $25,000 per person. That’s rarely enough to cover serious injuries or long-term recovery costs.

UIM coverage ensures that you aren’t the one left holding the bill when another driver is uninsured, underinsured, or takes off after an accident. It’s affordable protection that can make a life-changing difference after a crash.

How Much Coverage Should You Have?

A good rule of thumb: match your UIM limits to your own liability limits. If you’re protecting others with $100,000 of liability coverage, protect yourself the same way. Review your policy regularly — it’s one of the simplest ways to strengthen your safety net.

Bottom Line

You can’t control who hits you, but you can control how protected you are. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you peace of mind that no matter who’s at fault, you and your family are covered.

At Guenin Law Office, we’ve seen firsthand how critical this coverage can be after an accident.