Do I need uninsured if I have a collision?
Asked by: Ruben Bartell | Last update: July 14, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (39 votes)
What happens if I don't have uninsured motorist insurance?
Without uninsured motorist coverage, if you're injured or your vehicle is damaged in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you could end up paying for medical bills or vehicle repairs out of your own pocket.
At what point is collision insurance not worth it?
If your vehicle is paid off, there are only a few instances that justify dropping collision coverage: Your vehicle's value is less than a few thousand dollars: If your car holds minimal value, collision coverage may not be worth carrying. This is especially true when a large car insurance deductible is involved.
Do I really need uninsured motorist coverage in Colorado?
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is optional in Colorado. This coverage pays for the insured's bodily injury losses caused by a hit‑and‑run driver, a driver with no automobile insurance, or a driver of an underinsured vehicle.
Do I need uninsured motorist coverage if I have collision and comprehensive in Illinois?
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Insurance (UMPD)
Covers damage to your vehicle caused by an identified, at-fault, uninsured driver. This optional coverage may be purchased with or without collision coverage. Currently, Illinois law requires that the company offer this coverage with a maximum $250 deductible.
Do You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage If You Have Full Coverage?
Do you need uninsured coverage if you have collision?
California law does not require you to carry uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage—so, legally, you don't need either one. However, UM/UIM is an important and commonsense coverage to carry.
What is the disadvantage of uninsured motorist coverage?
Some cons to consider include: Additional cost: Adding uninsured motorist coverage to your policy typically increases your insurance premium, which can be financially burdensome. It is important to weigh the benefits against the added cost and your budget.
What states have mandatory uninsured motorist coverage?
Twenty two jurisdictions require uninsured motorist coverage (UM): Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia ...
Will my insurance go up if I use an uninsured motorist claim?
This is because when you cause an accident and have to make a claim to pay for damages caused to other people, your rates typically do increase. However, under California's proposition 103, insurance companies are not allowed to raise rates or drop a person because they made an uninsured motorist claim.
How does collision insurance work?
Collision insurance repairs damage when two vehicles in drive or reverse collide with each other. Collision insurance will cover damage to your vehicle if you hit ice and slide into an inanimate object. Collision covers pothole damage.
Is it better to have collision or comprehensive?
If your car is damaged in a road collision with another car or object and you're at fault, only your collision coverage can help pay to repair it. Only comprehensive coverage covers losses caused by contact with animals, civil disturbances, fires, natural disasters, theft, and vandalism.
Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?
Remember that filing small claims may affect how much you have to pay for insurance later. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on the cost of your insurance premium payments.
Why would you not want to have collision coverage?
Collision insurance only pays up to the current market value of your car, minus your collision deductible. Since older cars typically have a low market value, collision coverage won't pay out much, if anything, in a total loss. Be sure to research your car's worth before deciding on whether to drop the coverage.
What is the uninsured motorist fee for?
Uninsured motorist coverage helps you pay for damages caused by a driver who doesn't have car insurance. If you're hurt or your car is damaged in a crash caused by such a driver, this coverage will help pay for costs, up to the limits in your policy.
Why are there so many uninsured drivers?
Reason 1: They Can't Afford it
Putting aside a situation where you get into an accident and have to pay out of pocket for repairs and medical bills (yours or others involved), driving uninsured also carries steep fines and a loss of your license. You also may be surprised by how affordable car insurance can be.
Will my insurance go up if someone with no insurance hits me?
But, as a California personal injury attorney I can assure you that your insurance company should not raise your rates for making an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist claim on your policy. In fact, in most cases, doing so may violate long-standing California legal statutes.
Do uninsured motorist claims go against you?
If you have an accident that is not your fault and then make a UM/UIM claim for that accident, you are within the two events allowed under this code section. The insurance company cannot raise premiums, cancel coverage or refuse to renew your policy.
Do I have to pay the deductible for an uninsured motorist?
What is an uninsured motorist deductible? If an uninsured driver damages your vehicle and you carry uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage on your auto policy, your uninsured motorist coverage deductible is the amount of money you pay out of your own pocket for the claim on your damaged car.
Is it bad to not have uninsured motorist coverage?
It is still recommended you carry UMC/UIM insurance even if you have a good health insurance plan. UMC/UIM is first-party insurance that allows you to recover from your own insurance company for all your compensatory damages after an accident that is not your fault (up to your policy limit).
How do insurance companies go after uninsured drivers?
If the at-fault party is uninsured, the insurer may pursue subrogation against the driver personally.
Is uninsured motorist covered under collision?
You can file a claim with your auto collision coverage when your car gets hit by an uninsured driver or in other situations that involve a collision, like a single car accident. It can even cover damage to your car when you're at fault in an accident.
Do I need uninsured motorist coverage if I have full coverage?
Protect yourself from unexpected medical bills after a car accident. California law requires that uninsured motorist bodily injury and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverages (available only in combination) must be offered with every auto insurance policy issued in the state.
What does collision coverage cover?
Collision coverage
Collision pays for damage to your car resulting from a collision with an object (e.g., a telephone pole, a guard rail, a mailbox), or as a result of flipping over. The average cost is about $290 per year. Collision coverage reimburses you for the costs of repairing your car, minus the deductible.
What is the best amount of uninsured motorist coverage?
I always recommend buying Uninsured Motorist coverage up to an equal amount with your third-party liability coverage, if you can afford it. This means, if you have $100,000 in liability coverage, you should buy $100,000 in Uninsured Motorist coverage.
Is it bad to not have collision insurance?
While most states require drivers to carry liability coverage, collision coverage is optional. Many drivers have insurance policies that include no collision coverage at all. Forgoing collision coverage can save a driver money or end up costing them if they're in a serious accident.