Picture this: You’re watching the latest and greatest action-adventure hit straight out of Hollywood, and the story is chugging along smoothly, before … BAM! A wild plot twist appears right in the middle of the script. With popcorn and emotions both in flight, you start to wonder how on earth the plot even got to this point.
It’s pretty similar to an unfortunate situation that can arise when you’re on the road: getting into an accident with an uninsured (or underinsured) motorist. It’s the unexpected twist that absolutely no one asked for, but here we are. This guide will help you navigate the situation and protect yourself from these dangerous drivers and uninsured motorists in the PNW by getting the right auto insurance for your needs.
Before we get deep into the horror flick that is getting hit by an uninsured driver, let’s first define our key players. Uninsured motorist coverage is a type of insurance that protects you if you get into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have auto insurance.
Underinsured motorist coverage, on the other hand, steps in when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your damages. In fact, this distinction is one of the most frequently asked questions about auto insurance policies.
You might be thinking, “How many people are really driving around uninsured?” The answer: WAY TOO MANY. According to the Insurance Research Council, about 1 in 8 drivers on the road is uninsured. That means every time you roll out of your driveway, you’re taking a gamble. So, to answer your question: “Do I need uninsured motorist coverage?” Well, are you feeling lucky? Didn’t think so.
Some states have an even higher percentage of uninsured drivers. Florida, Mississippi, and New Mexico consistently rank at the top, with nearly 1 in 4 drivers lacking insurance. Meanwhile, in the Pacific Northwest, Washington and Oregon see their fair share of uninsured drivers, thanks to a mix of urban congestion, rural backroads, and the occasional Bigfoot sighting distracting motorists from paying their premiums.
The good news is that UIM and UM are pretty cheap – especially when you consider the benefit. The average cost in the nation is somewhere between $55 and $75 annually. That actually works out to pennies per day – probably less than what you drop in your loose change jar at the end of the day.
Some states require UM protection, while others leave it as an optional “Hey, you should probably get this” situation. States like New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts say, “You must have UM,” while others like California shrug and let you decide.
In the PNW, Washington doesn’t require UM coverage, but given the number of uninsured drivers navigating Seattle’s legendary traffic, you might want to rethink skipping it.
Skipping UM protection is like deciding to hike the Cascades without a rain jacket — bad things are bound to happen. Here’s what happens if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver and you DON’T have UM coverage:
And if you do happen to end up in this situation, here’s what to do when you have an accident with an uninsured driver.
That brings us to the final question: Is this policy truly right for you? Well, it’s pretty easy to suss that out by assessing your risk exposure. Also, did you know you can stack your UM coverage in some states? Stacking allows you to combine the coverage for drivers without insurance from multiple vehicles on the same policy. So, if you have two cars insured for $50,000 each in UM coverage, stacking them could provide $100,000 in protection.
This is especially useful if you drive in high-risk areas where uninsured drivers are more common, like Portland, where cyclists, e-scooters, and overconfident Subaru drivers make the roads a chaotic free-for-all.
To figure out if uninsured motorist coverage makes sense for your specific driving needs, you need to ask yourself the following questions about your personal risk exposure:
You should also think about unusual risks that might be specific to your situation — for example, getting into a hit-and-run situation with the local sasquatch. Not exactly a fun time.
So, to sum it up. If you answered yes to item 1, no to item 2, or yes to item 3, you definitely need this coverage to keep yourself and your bank account safe in the event you do get into an accident with a less-than-responsible driver.
Picking your policy limits is crucial. You don’t want to be underinsured and realize it when it’s too late. A general rule? Match your UM protection to your regular liability coverage. If you have $100,000 in liability insurance, get $100,000 in UM coverage to be safe.
You should also consider factors like medical costs in your state, your vehicle type, and potential lost wages in case of an injury. If you’re self-employed, UM coverage is even more critical since time off work could mean lost income.
If you’re looking to dodge the drama of running into an uninsured motorist (both literally and figuratively), you need an insurance policy that will give you protection from all the craziness around you, especially up here in the great northern Pacific Northwest.
At Vern Fonk, we specialize in helping drivers just like you get the protection you need with as little fuss as possible. To get started with your customized auto policy, request a quote online, give us a call at (800) 455-8276, or visit us at one of our many offices throughout the region.
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