JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | December 17, 2025 | Car Accidents
California’s roads are busy, and the state’s population is constantly on the move. With millions of drivers on the highways, collisions are unfortunately common. While liability insurance is legally required, not every driver follows the law.
Studies show that a significant percentage of drivers in California lack sufficient coverage or have none at all, partly because of economic pressures and the transient nature of the state’s population.
If an accident occurs and the at‑fault motorist is uninsured or carries only minimal coverage, you could be left paying for your own injuries and car repairs. That’s where uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage comes into play. If you need legal help, contact an experienced car accident lawyer to help you.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Explained
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at‑fault driver has no insurance at all or cannot be identified, such as in a hit‑and‑run. When someone driving without insurance causes a crash, your own UM policy pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident‑related damages up to your policy limits.
In California, uninsured motorist policies must also cover damages caused by a driver whose insurer becomes insolvent. Importantly, uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD) is separate from bodily injury coverage.
Drivers who want compensation for damage to their car in a collision with an uninsured driver must add UMPD to their policy, as basic UM coverage addresses only injuries.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage Explained
Underinsured motorist coverage is designed for situations in which the at‑fault driver has some insurance, but not enough to pay for all of your losses. For example, if you sustain serious injuries that require extensive treatment, the other driver’s liability limits may be exhausted quickly.
In that case, your UIM coverage can make up the difference between the amount you receive from the at‑fault driver’s insurer and your actual expenses, up to the limits you purchased. This coverage ensures you are not left with unpaid medical bills, rehabilitation costs, or lost income simply because the other driver chose to carry minimal insurance.
What These Policies Cover
Both uninsured and underinsured motorist policies cover more than just doctors’ bills. They may compensate you for:
- hospital stays
- surgery
- prescription drugs
- physical therapy
- other medical expenses that arise from the accident
- lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
California drivers should be aware that property damage is not automatically covered; separate UMPD coverage must be purchased to protect your vehicle. When selecting coverage, consider the potential cost of replacing a car, especially if it is newer or financed.
Why Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage Matters
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage protect you when the other driver is not insured. California law requires all automobile insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage to policyholders, although drivers can decline it in writing.
The state also recently updated its minimum liability limits for the first time in decades, raising them to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage (often written as 30/60/15).
Despite the increase, these amounts may still be insufficient to cover serious injuries or long‑term medical care, and many drivers continue to carry only the minimum required. Without UM/UIM coverage, you run the risk of absorbing the difference between the other driver’s policy limits and the full cost of your losses.
Protecting California Drivers
Protecting yourself from uninsured and underinsured drivers is a crucial part of responsible motoring in California. Even with the state’s updated liability requirements, many drivers carry only the minimum coverage or none at all.
Take time to review your policy, discuss options with your insurer, and select coverage limits that reflect the realities of California’s roads. Doing so can help you avoid financial hardship if you are ever struck by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
For help, contact JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers today. We offer a free consultation with a Van Nuys car accident lawyer.
Please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation today at (833) 852-3600.
Our main office is in Encino, CA, but we serve all through Los Angeles County.
JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers
16633 Ventura Blvd suite 1011,
Encino, CA 91436
