{"id":5142,"date":"2025-03-17T10:25:17","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T17:25:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/?p=5142"},"modified":"2025-03-15T10:25:41","modified_gmt":"2025-03-15T17:25:41","slug":"uninsured-motorists-plot-twist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/car-accidents\/uninsured-motorists-plot-twist\/","title":{"rendered":"Uninsured Motorists: The Plot Twist You Didn’t Ask For\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Picture this: You’re watching the latest and greatest action-adventure hit straight out of Hollywood, and the story is chugging along smoothly, before \u2026 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> for your needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defining Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> policies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Many Uninsured Drivers<\/strong>\u00a0are There?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might be thinking, “How many people are really driving around uninsured?” The answer: WAY TOO MANY. According to the Insurance Research Council<\/a>, 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Cost?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that UIM and UM are pretty cheap \u2013 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 \u2013 probably less than what you drop in your loose change jar at the end of the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Required in Washington?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n

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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Risks of Skipping Uninsured Motorist Coverage<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Skipping UM protection is like deciding to hike the Cascades without a rain jacket \u2014 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: <\/p>\n\n\n\n