Uninsured vs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage: What's the Difference?
Car accidents often leave behind more than just property damage and injuries. When the driver at fault doesn't have the proper insurance, things can get even more difficult. As car accident attorneys serving Tallahassee, Florida, we’ve helped many people deal with the fallout of crashes caused by drivers with little or no insurance.
One of the biggest questions we hear at The Pelham Law Firm is, “What’s the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?” This coverage can make a huge difference in your recovery, and we’re here to walk you through what you should know.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is designed to protect you if you're hurt in a crash caused by someone who doesn’t carry any liability insurance. In Florida, even though drivers are required to carry minimum insurance, many still don’t. This means you could be stuck paying out-of-pocket for injuries, lost wages, and other losses after a crash if you’re not covered.
It’s important to understand that UM coverage applies only if the other driver is truly uninsured. If that’s the case, your own policy steps in as if it were the other person’s insurance.
Let’s say you’re rear-ended by someone who fled the scene, and you never find out who they were. Since there’s no liable party to hold accountable, your uninsured motorist coverage can step in and help cover the damages.
What Is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage comes into play when the other driver has insurance, but not enough to cover the full scope of your injuries and losses.
Florida’s required minimum coverage isn’t very high, and serious injuries often cost much more than a basic policy will pay. UIM is designed to help bridge the gap between what you're owed and what you're able to collect.
For example, imagine you're in a crash caused by a driver who carries the minimum $10,000 in bodily injury liability. If your medical bills total $50,000, underinsured motorist coverage can step in to help cover the remaining amount, up to your policy limits.
Both UM and UIM coverage can provide peace of mind when it’s needed most. It’s not just about medical expenses — it’s about giving yourself the chance to recover without financial pressure adding to the stress of physical injuries.
A Look at Damages Covered by UM and UIM Claims
Both uninsured and underinsured motorist claims can help cover a variety of damages when the other driver can’t. These may include:
Emergency care and surgery
Ongoing medical treatment or physical therapy
Lost wages from missed work
Reduced future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
We always look at the full picture when building a case, not just immediate bills, but long-term effects. Our goal is to help clients get the compensation they need to move forward.
More on Florida’s Insurance System
Florida follows a no-fault system, meaning your own insurance typically pays for your initial medical treatment under personal injury protection (PIP), no matter who caused the crash.
However, PIP only covers a limited amount — usually up to $10,000 — and doesn’t pay for non-economic damages like pain and suffering. That’s where bodily injury coverage, and potentially UM or UIM, come in.
Florida doesn’t require drivers to carry bodily injury liability insurance, which means there's no guarantee the person who caused the crash has any coverage at all to pay for your injuries. That makes having UM and UIM coverage especially important for Florida drivers.
We’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference this coverage can make. Too many people learn too late that the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, and they’re left without options. That’s why we always encourage clients to check their policies carefully and talk to an agent about increasing coverage if needed.
How UM and UIM Coverage Can Work Together
UM and UIM are typically offered together and may be “stacked” or “non-stacked” in Florida. Here’s how they differ:
Stacked coverage: Allows you to multiply your coverage limits by the number of vehicles on your policy. For instance, if you have $50,000 in UM coverage and three vehicles, you could have up to $150,000 in coverage.
Non-stacked coverage: Limits you to the amount listed for each individual vehicle. Usually results in lower premiums, but less protection.
We’ve helped clients file UM/UIM claims and seen insurance companies push back. They may try to argue that you weren’t seriously injured or that the other driver had enough coverage, even when it’s clear they didn’t. This is where working with a car accident attorney becomes vital.
Common Myths About UM and UIM Coverage
A lot of people think they don’t need extra coverage because they’re “good drivers” or “rarely drive far from home.” The truth is, you can’t control what other drivers do — and unfortunately, Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country.
Here are a few common myths we hear:
"UM and UIM are the same thing." They’re related but address two different situations — no coverage vs. not enough coverage.
"If I have health insurance, I don’t need UM or UIM." Health insurance may help with some costs, but it won’t cover lost wages or pain and suffering.
"I don’t need to worry because Florida is a no-fault state." PIP covers only a portion of your expenses and doesn't pay for everything.
Don’t wait until after a crash to find out what your policy really offers. It’s worth reviewing your insurance and asking questions before you need to file a claim.
Steps to Take After a Crash Involving an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver
If you're hit by someone with no insurance or too little of it, it’s easy to feel stuck. Here are five important steps to protect your rights:
Contact law enforcement. Get a police report to document the crash. This report may confirm that the other driver has no valid insurance.
Get medical treatment. Your health comes first. Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel okay. Injuries often show up days later.
Notify your insurance company. Let your insurer know there was a crash and that the other driver lacked proper coverage. Don’t give a recorded statement without speaking to a car accident attorney first.
Request your policy details. Ask for a copy of your declarations page to review your UM and UIM limits.
Contact a car accident attorney. Let us help you understand your rights and guide you through the process of filing a claim with your insurer or pursuing other legal options.
These are just a few of the steps that are important to take after you've been involved in a car accident with a driver who may not be insured.
Florida's Statute of Limitations for UM/UIM Claims
Like any other legal matter, there are time limits. In Florida, you typically have five years to bring a lawsuit against your own insurance company for a UM or UIM claim. While that might seem like plenty of time, it’s always best to act quickly. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to collect evidence, gather witness testimony, and prove the extent of your injuries.
Contact Our Car Accident Attorney Today
Getting hurt in a crash is hard enough; finding out the other driver doesn’t have the coverage to pay for your losses just makes things worse. That’s why uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is so important.
If you’ve been in a crash and have questions about your coverage or your rights, reach out to our experienced Tallahassee car accident attorney at The Pelham Law Firm. Call or message our Florida injury firm to schedule a consultation with us today.
