Why Every Utah Driver Should Have Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Accidents Happen.

Introduction

When it comes to car insurance, many drivers focus on meeting the state's minimum liability coverage requirements, often without realizing how inadequate they are in real-world accidents. In Utah, the minimum liability insurance required by law is just $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. While this may seem sufficient, the reality is that these limits often fall far short of covering actual expenses after an accident, particularly with rising medical costs.

This is where Underinsured Motorist (UIM) and Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage become essential. These types of coverage ensure that you and your passengers are financially protected if you're in an accident with a driver who either does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover your losses. And the best part? UIM and UM coverage are relatively inexpensive, especially compared to the protection they offer.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss why every Utah driver should strongly consider carrying both UIM and UM coverage, what these coverages do, and how they can protect you from financial ruin in the event of an accident.

1. The Harsh Reality: Many Drivers Are Uninsured or Underinsured

Despite legal requirements, many drivers on the road either lack insurance entirely or carry only the bare minimum coverage. According to national statistics, nearly one in eight drivers is uninsured. In Utah, the situation is just as concerning.

If you are hit by an uninsured driver, your options are limited:

• You can file a lawsuit, but if the driver has no assets, collecting compensation will be extremely difficult.

  
  

• You will have to pay for your own medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs, unless you have UM coverage.

  
  

Even if the at-fault driver is insured, the $25,000 per person minimum liability coverage is often not enough to cover the cost of a moderate injury. The cost of medical treatment for a broken bone, for example, can easily exceed this amount, leaving you with out-of-pocket expenses.

This is where UIM and UM coverage come in.

2. What Is Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage?

Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage protects you when an at-fault driver does not have any insurance. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, your UM policy will cover:

• Medical expenses

  
  

• Lost wages

  
  

• Pain and suffering

  
  

• Funeral costs (if applicable)

  
  

Essentially, UM coverage steps in and acts as the at-fault driver's insurance so you don’t have to suffer financially due to someone else’s irresponsibility.

3. What Is Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage?

Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver does have insurance, but their policy limits are too low to fully compensate you for your damages. In Utah, many drivers only carry the minimum $25,000 liability coverage, which is nowhere near enough in a serious accident.

For example:

• You are involved in an accident caused by another driver.

  
  

• Your medical expenses total $50,000.

  
  

• The at-fault driver’s insurance policy only covers $25,000.

  
  

• Without UIM coverage, you would be responsible for the remaining $25,000 out of pocket.

  
  

• With UIM coverage, your own insurance policy covers the difference.

  
  

UIM coverage ensures that you are not left struggling financially due to someone else’s insufficient insurance policy.

4. How Much UM/UIM Coverage Should You Buy?

Given how quickly medical expenses add up, $25,000 is simply not enough coverage in most accidents. That’s why experts recommend purchasing at least:

• $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for UM/UIM coverage.

  
  

• Higher limits, such as $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident, provide even better protection.

  
  

The cost of increasing your coverage is surprisingly low—often just a few extra dollars per month compared to the risk of paying tens of thousands out of pocket after an accident.

5. The Cost of Medical Care Is Higher Than You Think

Medical costs have skyrocketed in recent years, making it even more important to have adequate coverage. Consider these average medical costs:

• Ambulance ride: $1,200–$3,500

  
  

• Emergency room visit: $3,000–$10,000

  
  

• Hospital stay (per day): $10,000

  
  

• Surgery for a broken bone: $20,000–$50,000

  
  

Even minor injuries can easily exceed the $25,000 minimum liability coverage. With UM and UIM insurance, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll pay for medical treatment if an uninsured or underinsured driver causes your accident.

6. Legal Consequences for Uninsured Drivers Do Not Help Victims

While Utah law requires all drivers to carry insurance, there are still many who drive without coverage.

However, none of the penalties for uninsured driving provide financial relief to injured victims. Law enforcement can ticket or arrest uninsured drivers, but that does nothing to help cover your medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

UM and UIM coverage are the only ways to ensure that you are financially protected if you’re hit by a driver with little or no insurance.

7. Final Thoughts: Protect Yourself and Your Family

No one plans to get into an accident, but you can plan to protect yourself. Relying on other drivers to have adequate insurance is a risky gamble that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars—or more.

Here’s why you should add or increase UM/UIM coverage today:

• It’s affordable: The cost of adding UIM/UM coverage to your policy is minimal compared to the risk of having to pay out of pocket after an accident.

  
  

• It covers the unexpected: Even cautious drivers can be hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver at any time.

  
  

• It’s the only way to ensure you’re compensated: Fines and penalties for uninsured drivers won’t help you financially recover from an accident, but UM/UIM coverage will.

  
  

Don’t wait until it’s too late—review your car insurance policy today and make sure you have adequate UM and UIM coverage. It’s a small investment that could save you from financial disaster in the future.

At The Legal Beagle, we help personal injury victims navigate the complexities of insurance claims and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. If you’ve been injured in an accident and are unsure about your rights, contact us today for a free consultation.