UM/UIM: What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Imagine this: you're driving home, the light turns green, you ease into the intersection — and bam — another car slams into yours. You're shaken but alive. Now, here's the kicker: the other driver doesn’t have insurance. Or worse, they speed off, never to be found. So, who will pay for your medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, or pain and suffering?

This insult to injury happens far too often in Washington. There is a shocking number of drivers on Seattle roads and highways who have no insurance. As of 2019, Washington State had the 5th highest number of uninsured drivers in the nation at 21.7% of vehicles on the roads throughout the state.

This scenario is precisely why drivers should always purchase Uninsured Motorist coverage. Let’s break it down and explain why this coverage might be the most important part of your auto insurance policy. And remember, if you need legal guidance, contact our experienced Seattle car accident attorneys as soon as possible.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Washington

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) protects you when you're hit by a driver who doesn’t have liability insurance. It’s like a financial safety net for situations where the at-fault driver can’t cover your costs — because they simply don’t have insurance.

UM coverage usually comes in two types:

• Uninsured motorist bodily injury: Pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and sometimes funeral costs.
• Uninsured motorist property damage: Covers the property damage to your vehicle if the other driver has no insurance and can’t pay for repairs.

Some states even allow UMPD to cover hit and run accidents where the driver is never identified — but not Washington. In Washington State, Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) will only apply if the uninsured driver is identified. If the other driver flees the scene and is never found, UMPD won’t help cover the cost of your repairs.

That’s why collision coverage is essential in Washington if you want full protection for your damaged vehicle — even in a hit and run. It steps in regardless of who was at fault or whether the other driver is ever identified.

What Is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Now, let’s say the other driver does have insurance but not nearly enough coverage to pay for the damage they caused. In such cases, underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) is used to bridge the gap between the other driver's policy limits and your actual costs.

For example, if your medical bills total $75,000 and the at-fault driver's insurance only covers $25,000, UIM can step in to cover the remaining $50,000 — assuming your auto policy limits allow it.

Why Do I Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage​ in WA?

Most people carry liability insurance because it’s required. But it’s not enough, as it only covers damage you cause to others — not what others cause to you. That’s why having UM/UIM coverage adds an extra layer of protection. Without it, you're betting your financial future on the assumption that every driver on the road has enough insurance — and that’s a losing bet in many parts of the country.

What Does UM/UIM Typically Cover?

Here's a rundown of what UM/UIM can help pay for:

• Medical expenses: Hospital visits, surgeries, rehab.
• Lost wages: If you’re unable to work due to the accident.
• Pain and suffering: Mental and physical trauma.
• Funeral costs: In the worst-case scenario.
• Property damage: Repairs to your vehicle or replacement value (depending on state laws).
• Hit-and-runs: Especially if the driver is never caught.

If you don’t have collision coverage, UMPD can be especially helpful in handling the repair costs from an uninsured or underinsured driver.

How Much UM/UIM Coverage Should You Get?

Here’s a simple rule: your UM/UIM limits should match your liability limits. If your policy offers $100,000 in bodily injury liability, you should aim for $100,000 in UMBI coverage, too. You never want to have less protection for yourself than what you offer others.

Think of it as protecting your future — your health, your job, your family’s security — from someone else’s irresponsibility.

Can’t Health Insurance Just Cover It?

Not quite. While health insurance might cover some medical expenses, it won’t help you with lost wages, car repairs, or pain and suffering. Plus, you might have to deal with co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-network issues.

UM/UIM coverage is designed specifically for car accidents, and it works alongside auto insurance — not as a replacement for health insurance.

Is UM/UIM Required in Washington State?

In Washington, insurers must offer Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) coverage, but drivers can choose to reject it in writing. Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage is treated the same way — it is available but optional if declined in writing.

While it’s not legally required to carry UM/UIM in Washington, it’s strongly recommended. With the number of uninsured or underinsured drivers on the road — and the reality of hit-and-run accidents — this coverage could be the only thing standing between you and a major financial headache.

What If You’re Not Sure You Have UM/UIM?

If you’ve been in an accident and there’s no clear insurance coverage — either from the other driver or your own — here are three steps to take right now:

• Check for a UM/UIM waiver: Ask your insurance company to provide a copy of the written waiver proving you declined uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If they cannot provide this waiver, contact Lehmbecker Law immediately, as you may have an avenue for recovery.
• Submit a request to the Washington State DOL: If your damages exceed $1,000 and the at-fault driver is uninsured, you can submit a DOL Claim Form 500027 to the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) to seek recovery. If the other party doesn’t pay, the DOL may suspend their driving privileges.
• Look into the Family Car Doctrine: If the person who hit you is a minor or a young adult, their parent or guardian may be legally responsible under Washington’s Family Car Doctrine. That means there may be another route for compensation — even if the driver wasn’t insured.

Don’t Rely on Luck — Rely on UM/UIM Coverage

Driving without UM/UIM coverage is like high-stakes gambling at a casino. You might get lucky, or you might be left footing the bill for someone else’s mistake.

If you’re unsure whether your car insurance policy includes uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist protection, now’s the time to call your insurance provider and ask. You might be surprised how affordable peace of mind is.

At Lehmbecker Law, our Washington State car accident attorneys are committed to protecting drivers from the financial fallout of crashes involving uninsured or underinsured motorists. We’ve seen firsthand how UM/UIM coverage can make all the difference in securing compensation for medical bills, vehicle damage, and lost wages after a serious accident.

If you’ve been hit by a driver without enough insurance — or none at all — don’t try to deal with the aftermath alone. Contact us for a free case review — we serve all of Washington State.