What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Utah?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is an optional auto insurance add-on in Utah that pays your damages when you are injured by a driver who has no insurance or whose insurance is insufficient to cover your losses. It is one of the most important and underutilized coverages available to Utah drivers.

Two Types of Protection

• Uninsured Motorist (UM): Pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all.
• Underinsured Motorist (UIM): Pays when the at-fault driver has insurance but the policy limits are not enough to cover your full damages. UIM kicks in after the at-fault driver's policy is exhausted.

What UM/UIM Covers

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability

UM/UIM does not cover property damage in most Utah policies -- that is covered by uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD), which is a separate optional endorsement.

Why Utah Drivers Need UM/UIM Coverage

• Approximately 8% of Utah drivers are uninsured (Insurance Research Council).
• Utah's minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person -- far below the cost of a serious injury requiring surgery, hospitalization, or long-term care.
• If the at-fault driver has only $25,000 in coverage and your medical bills are $150,000, UIM pays the $125,000 gap (up to your UIM limit).

UM/UIM Claims Are Still Adversarial

Your own insurance company handles UM/UIM claims, but it is not on your side. Insurers apply the same pressure to minimize UM/UIM payouts as they do to third-party claims. An attorney can negotiate against your own insurer to maximize your UM/UIM recovery.

Stacking UM/UIM Coverage

Some Utah policies allow stacking -- combining the UM/UIM limits from multiple vehicles on the same policy. For example, if you have two vehicles each with $100,000 in UIM coverage, a stacked policy provides $200,000 total. Review your policy declarations page or ask your agent whether your policy allows stacking.

BAM Injury Law handles uninsured and underinsured motorist claims throughout Utah. Call (801) 839-5652.