Uninsured motorist insurance, also known as uninsured motorist coverage, is optional insurance coverage that protects you when you get involved in an accident with a driver without auto insurance.
There are many reasons why people carry no or low uninsured motorist coverage. According to a 2023 report from the Insurance Research Council (IRC), roughly one out of every seven drivers on the road in 2022—about 14%—had no auto insurance at all. The main issue is that insurance agents or companies frequently provide inadequate advice to customers who are focused on finding the cheapest insurance policies. As a result, these customers are often not informed about the importance of uninsured motorist coverage because they are primarily concerned with price.
California roads are unpredictable. One moment you’re on your regular commute, the next you’re dealing with the aftermath of a crash—only to find out the other driver doesn’t have insurance. If you don’t have the right coverage in place, that situation can quickly become a financial nightmare.
That’s where legal support matters. At Bojat Law Group, our personal injury lawyers helped countless clients through the stress and confusion that follows an accident with an uninsured driver. We’ll walk you through your options, handle the back-and-forth with insurance companies, and fight to get you the compensation you’re owed.
What Does Uninsured Motorist Insurance Cost?
If you are considering getting uninsured motorist coverage in California, you may wonder how much it costs or what the adequate amount is. When considering the cost, it’s also important to understand how an uninsured motorist claim works and what it covers. There is no guaranteed quotation as the cost of your uninsured motorist coverage may depend on some varying factors, such as;
- The price of your vehicle
- Your driving history
- Other factors include your liability coverage limits.
California insurers usually offer uninsured policy limits equal to a driver’s liability coverage limits. For example, if you purchased 50/100 limits for at-fault accidents, you can also buy 50/100 limits for accidents caused by uninsured drivers.
So, what does uninsured motorist coverage really cost?
Although it may sound unbelievable, the cost of uninsured motorist coverage is relatively low:
- 30/60 coverage – around $30/year (Covers up to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury. This is California’s new minimum liability requirement.)
- 25/50 coverage – around $45/year
- 50/100 coverage – around $60/year
- 100/300 coverage – around $78/year
Uninsured motorist coverage helps pay for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering if you’re hit by someone who lacks liability insurance.
If you’ve been involved in a crash with an uninsured driver—especially in areas like Thousand Oaks—you don’t have to face it alone. Bojat Law Group offers trusted legal support across California. If your accident happened in or near Thousand Oaks, don’t hesitate to reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer from our team.
You can also explore all the California locations we serve by clicking here.
A California Umbrella Policy Offers More Coverage
Some insurance companies offer higher limits to clients, usually under an umbrella policy, up to $1,000,000. When considering an umbrella policy, it’s important to evaluate your uninsured motorist limits to ensure adequate protection. For maximum coverage, you can purchase an umbrella policy. In addition to uninsured motorist coverage, you may also want to consider underinsured motorist insurance to protect yourself in accidents where the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damage. They are inexpensive and can cover excess losses under any insurance policy carried at the maximum limits.
At Bojat Law Group, we recommend you purchase as high a limit as you can afford, as the general rule is to add enough property damage and significant bodily injuries to replace your vehicle and protect you fully in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver.
You should consult your insurance agent to discuss which uninsured policy limit works for you.
Why is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Necessary?
What Is the Cost of Uninsured Motorist Coverage? 2 Many insurance agents and companies may argue the importance of uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is essential in states where Personal Injury Protection (PIP) may not be sufficient. Some may even ask, “Do you have health insurance, or do you really need compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering? They make you assume your health insurance will cover you fully in an accident.
They may even go further to tell you that an accident with an uninsured driver is unlikely, but the truth is that it is essential to have uninsured motorist coverage. Statistics show that about 20% of Californian accidents are uninsured. That is, one in eight drivers is uninsured.
All California Automobile insurance providers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to prospective policyholders, and you can decline by signing a waiver, which may not be in your best interests. Because when you have uninsured motorist coverage, economic and non-economic damages are covered. Including medical bills, out-of-pocket costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and future losses.
Uninsured motorist property damage coverage is also crucial, as it covers car damages when an uninsured driver hits you.
Uninsured motorist coverage allows you to recover all compensatory damages from your insurance company after an accident that is not your fault. Without UMC, things could get messy.
Another reason is, that most Californian drivers struggle to get back to the position they were in before a major accident. Many cannot afford to incur significant losses and may require reasonable compensation to get their lives back on track. Despite the public’s perception, it is rare and unlikely to win hefty payouts after an automobile accident.
Additionally, health insurance does not cover significant injuries. While private health programs such as Medicare and MediCal will pay medical costs after an accident regardless of fault, these health insurances do not cover services such as acupuncture and chiropractic care.
Also, they won’t pay for property damage or cover pain, suffering, or lost earnings. Another consideration is that many health insurance companies have pricey deductibles and copays.
Uninsured motorist coverage guarantees access to the necessary funds for your well-being when needed.
Important Things to Note About Uninsured Motorist Coverage In California
Here are some important things to note about uninsured motorist coverage in California for those who still have doubts about its importance:
- It covers you, even as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle and as a pedestrian
- It Is essential coverage you can purchase to protect you and your family financially
- Uninsured motorist coverage extends to a resident family member in a passenger car
- Uninsured motorist coverage covers hit-and-run accidents
- Uninsured motorist coverage covers you when you are in an accident with a vehicle
- Car insurance companies often have different policies and limits for uninsured motorist coverage, so it’s important to compare quotes from several companies to get the best coverage.
Injured in an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist? Call Bojat Law Group
Uninsured motorist coverage is one of the most important parts of a well-rounded auto insurance policy. It protects you financially if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance—or doesn’t have enough. While the cost of this coverage depends on your policy, the protection it provides after a serious crash makes it more than worth it.
At Bojat Law Group, our California car accident attorneys strongly encourage every driver to carry uninsured motorist coverage. One of the most common coverage levels is 30/60, which means $30,000 in bodily injury protection per person, and $60,000 total per accident. Some insurance companies might recommend lowering or dropping this coverage to keep premiums low. But doing so could leave you exposed when you need coverage the most. Don’t make that mistake. Protect yourself, not the insurance company’s bottom line.
If you’ve been injured in an accident with an uninsured driver, call Bojat Law Group today at (818) 877-4878. Your consultation is completely free, and we’re here to fight for the compensation you deserve.
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