A Real-Life Example
Recently, a friend shared a heartbreaking story.
Someone close to him was seriously injured in a car accident after another driver sped through a red light.
The vehicle was declared a total loss, and the victim suffered a neck injury that required hospitalization and about two months of recovery.
The at-fault driver had no auto insurance.
The damaged vehicle was covered under the victim's own policy, but that didn't solve the biggest problem.
Medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and any long-term disability could easily total hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The victim sued the at-fault driver—but it turned out the driver had no insurance and no meaningful assets.
Even if you win a lawsuit, you can't collect money that doesn't exist.
This Happens More Often Than You Think
According to the Insurance Research Council, approximately 13% of Texas drivers are uninsured.
That means roughly 1 out of every 8 vehicles on the road has no liability insurance.
Even when the at-fault driver does have insurance, Texas only requires minimum liability limits of 30/60/25.
That means the policy may provide only:
$30,000 for injuries to one person
$60,000 total per accident
$25,000 for property damage
For a serious accident, those limits can be exhausted very quickly.
"Full Coverage" Doesn't Mean You're Fully Protected
Many people believe "full coverage" means they're protected in every situation.
In reality, "full coverage" usually refers to protecting your own vehicle with comprehensive and collision coverage.
It does not automatically protect you if the driver who injures you has no insurance—or not enough insurance.
The Coverage Many People Should Consider
That's where Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UM/UIM BI) comes in.
This coverage can help pay for you and your passengers if you're injured by a driver who:
Has no insurance
Doesn't have enough insurance
Leaves the scene in a hit-and-run accident (when covered under your policy)
Depending on your policy and the circumstances, UM/UIM coverage may help with:
Medical expenses
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Long-term disability and related damages
It Costs Very Little Compared to What It Protects
For many drivers, adding UM/UIM coverage costs only a relatively small amount each year.
Yet if you're seriously injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, it could protect you from financial losses that reach hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars.
Whether you carry liability-only coverage or a policy with collision and comprehensive coverage, it's worth reviewing whether you have UM/UIM protection.
Not Sure If You Have It?
Many Texas drivers don't realize they've declined this coverage until after an accident.
If you'd like us to review your current auto policy, send us your declarations page.
We'll explain what coverages you have, what they mean, and whether there are any gaps in your protection.
At Zip Insurance, our licensed agents are happy to help you compare options and find coverage that fits both your needs and your budget.
