Which is better, a collision or an uninsured motorist?

Asked by: Ms. Alisha Adams III  |  Last update: May 13, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (49 votes)

Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Protects you when the accident is caused by someone without insurance. Covers medical expenses and vehicle repairs. Collision Coverage: Pays for your car repairs no matter who's at fault. Usually comes with a deductible.

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.

Why would you not want to have collision coverage?

The reason people say collision isnt worth it on older cars is simple: The premium you pay may end up costing more than the value of the vehicle.

Will my insurance go up if an uninsured motorist hits me?

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.

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.

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When should you take collision off your car insurance?

Experts recommend that you may want to consider dropping your collision insurance if the annual cost of the optional coverage is more than 10% of your car's value.

Do I need uninsured coverage if I have collision coverage?

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.

Which is better collision or uninsured motorist?

Deductible Comparison: UMPD generally has a lower deductible compared to collision coverage. This can be beneficial in reducing immediate out-of-pocket costs. Broader Coverage: UMPD can cover not just your vehicle but also other property, such as a fence or a garage, if damaged by an uninsured driver.

Does an uninsured motorist claim raise my rates?

California Law Forbids Insurers to Raise Rates

This makes California one of only two states in the country which has legislation on the books preventing insurance companies from arbitrarily raising rates after a consumer files an uninsured motorist claim following a no-fault accident.

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 need collision if I'm not at fault?

Collision coverage: Can be used no matter who's at fault in the collision. Helps pay for the cost of repairs so you're not stuck paying the entire bill on your own. May allow you to start repairs for your collision damages while the claim is being investigated.

Who generally pays more for car insurance?

Men tend to pay more for car insurance overall, though the difference is slight — about 1%. The difference is most pronounced for teens and young adults.

Do I need both collision and comprehensive?

You probably don't need comprehensive and collision insurance if your car is older and not worth a lot. That's because the maximum payout you'll get in a comprehensive or collision claim will be for the current market value of 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.

How do insurance companies go after uninsured drivers?

If the at-fault party is uninsured, the insurer may pursue subrogation against the driver personally.

What is reduced by uninsured motorist coverage?

Reduced uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist auto insurance fills in the gaps when there is not enough or no coverage for the at-fault driver and covers you up to an equal amount of your policy.

Will my insurance go up if hit by an uninsured driver?

Claims When You Are Not At Fault

One of the reassuring aspects of uninsured motorist claims in California is that they usually won't impact your insurance rates if you are not at fault in the accident.

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.

Does uninsured motorist cover your deductible?

Collision coverage will pay for the damage to your vehicle (less the amount of your deductible), and when the loss is caused by an uninsured motorist, your collision deductible waiver coverage will reimburse or waive the deductible payment.

Do most people have uninsured motorist?

The percentage of uninsured motorists stood at 11.1 percent in 2019 before increasing to 13.9 percent in 2020 and 14.2 percent in 2021, before slightly declining to 14.0 percent in 2022, the IRC estimated.

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.

Which states require uninsured motorist insurance?

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 ...

What is the difference between full coverage and uninsured motorist?

Liability is required by your state to legally drive on the road. Uninsured motorist coverage covers you and your passengers' medical bills if you are hit by another driver that does not have insurance. There is no such thing as "full coverage" but people normally use that term to describe comprehensive and collision.

Is it bad to not have collision insurance?

Without collision insurance, if disaster strikes, you could be stuck paying thousands of dollars for car repairs or for a new vehicle. If your car is totaled and you have a loan that's more than the value of your car, you'll still have to pay the remaining balance on your loan, which can be thousands of dollars.

What is the 10 rule for collision insurance?

One general rule of thumb is to skip collision coverage for vehicles that are more than ten years old. Your collision premiums and your deductible are more than 10 percent of your vehicle's blue book value.