QIM Score: 84/100
— published under the house rule: no post goes live unscored. Routes: Personal Injury · Blue Data.
What UM/UIM Covers
Uninsured-motorist (UM) coverage pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance or flees the scene; underinsured-motorist (UIM) coverage fills the gap when their limits are too low to cover your injuries. You're making a claim under your own policy, which you paid for, for exactly this situation.
Why You Probably Have It
California insurers must offer UM/UIM coverage, and you have it unless you signed a written waiver to reject it. Many people don't realize they're covered — and an at-fault driver with a minimum policy can leave you far short on a serious injury without it.
Your Own Insurer Becomes the Other Side
Here's the catch: in a UM/UIM claim, your own insurance company is now the one trying to pay you as little as possible. The claim is adversarial even though it's 'your' carrier, so the same care you'd take with any insurer applies.
What to Do
If the driver who hurt you was uninsured or underinsured, your own policy may be the recovery. A free consult checks your coverage and handles the claim against your carrier.
Michael Benavides Legal — free consult | Michael Benavides, Esq., CA Bar No. 270714 | 707-362-4166 | attorneymichaelbenavides.com
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Michael Benavides Legal is a trade name of the law practice of Michael Benavides, Esq., California State Bar No. 270714. General information only — not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this. Injury results depend on your specific facts. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome; verify current deadlines and figures.
