Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance

What happens when you’re hit by an uninsured driver or someone who doesn’t have adequate coverage? Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance can help financially protect you.

Women driving her car with a dog in the passenger seat.

Find an Agent

Couple in front seat driving car with child in back.

Coverage at Westfield

What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance?

Uninsured/Underinsured motorist insurance, sometimes shortened to UM/UIM coverage, is an additional coverage that can be added to your auto insurance policy. If you’re in an accident with a driver that doesn’t have enough, or any, insurance, UM/UIM coverage from Westfield can help pay for:

Medical bills for you and your passengers
Lost wages
Pain and suffering

Additionally, if you’re a victim of a hit-and-run accident, UM/UIM coverage can help with these costs.

Father and son sitting in trunk of SUV near forest.

Comparing Coverage

What Is the Difference Between Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance?

While both coverage types may cover expenses when you’re in an accident that is not your fault, there is a key difference between these coverages.

As the name implies, uninsured motorist (UM) insurance helps protect you if you’re hit by someone without insurance. Similarly, underinsured motorist insurance (UIM) helps protect against at-fault drivers whose liability limits are too low to cover the associated expenses. Typically, the at-fault driver’s insurance pays bodily injury up to their policy limits while your UIM insurance may cover the rest, depending on your limits.

Real-Life Examples

How Does Uninsured Motorist Insurance Work?

Imagine you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured driver, and the accident caused $10,000 worth of damage to your vehicle. With UM coverage, you won’t be financially responsible for damages that aren’t your fault.

But what if the driver was underinsured? Let’s say the driver has only $5,000 of coverage. In this scenario, your UIM insurance would kick in to cover the additional $5,000.

Teenage son learning how to drive with help of dad.

Coverage Breakdown

Types of Uninsured Motorist Insurance

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage breaks down into two coverage types:

Property Damage Coverage – Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage may pay for damages to your car and other property, as well as your rental car costs.

Bodily Injury – Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) coverage may pay for you and your passengers’ medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Loading component...

Added Protection

Discover More Coverage Options

Roadside Assistance

When you have a flat tire, need a jump start, or run out of fuel, we can help you get on back on the road.

Loan/Lease Gap Insurance

If your totaled or stolen vehicle turns out to be worth less than what you owe on your loan or lease, this coverage can help cover the difference.

Umbrella Coverage

If a large claim is filed against you, umbrella coverage can help provide extra financial protection.

Loading component...

Find an Agent

Expand Your Auto Coverage

Don’t pay out of pocket for an accident that’s not your fault. Contact a local agent to add uninsured motorist insurance to your Westfield auto insurance policy.

Find an agent

Uninsured Motorist Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

Is uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance required by law?

While not all states require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, it’s usually a good idea to add it to your auto policy. Driving without this coverage is a serious risk as you could be held responsible for your own medical expenses and repair costs.

Your Westfield agent can help you determine which coverage is required in your state.

Do insurance companies go after uninsured drivers?

If your insurance company had to cover losses for an accident that wasn’t your fault, they may decide to attempt to recoup some of those losses from the uninsured driver. Whether an insurance company chooses to pursue reimbursement often depends on how much time and money it would take to recover the losses.

Uninsured motorist bodily injury vs. health insurance

In some instances, health insurance overlaps with UMBI and UIMBI coverage. If UMBI and UIMBI coverages are optional in your state, be sure to consider the following:

UMBI and UIMBI coverages generally don’t have a deductible while health insurance plans typically do.
Your passengers may not have their own health insurance, and UMBI and UIMBI coverage will help protect them.
UMBI and UIMBI coverages may cover lost wages and other damages that might not be covered by your health insurance plan.

What is the difference between uninsured motorist property damage coverage and collision coverage?

While collision coverage and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage may help cover damage to your car caused by an uninsured driver, there are a couple of differences.

Collision coverage may pay for damages to your car, regardless of who is at fault.
UMPD coverage may cover damages to your car up to a specific limit when caused by an uninsured driver.

All coverages are subject to the limits, deductibles, and exclusions set forth in your policy.