How Much Uninsured Motorist Insurance Should You Buy?

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

I’m a huge advocate of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. In fact, over the years, I’ve traveled all over the state speaking to groups of lawyers about how to be more effective in pursuing their uninsured/underinsured motorist claims.

For me, when you’re buying auto insurance in Texas, the question isn’t whether you should buy uninsured/underinsured coverage—it’s about how much you buy.

Why?

Unfortunately, even though Texas law requires drivers to carry liability insurance, many still drive uninsured. And of those Texas drivers who do have insurance, most carry the minimum $30,000 of coverage required by Texas law. So, what happens if you’re involved in a car wreck with a driver who doesn’t have any insurance or enough insurance to cover your losses? That’s when your uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance will step in and help compensate you for your losses.

Why You Need More than the Minimum

I work with a lot of clients who buy the minimum $30,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. And while I’m glad they have that coverage, I usually wish they had more.

Recently, I worked with two clients who each had $30,000 in uninsured motorist coverage. In both cases, it wasn’t enough to fully compensate them for their injuries from their car wrecks. Medical bills, hospital care, and rehabilitation costs are expenses. Even with just one visit to the hospital, those costs can quickly surpass minimum coverage limits, leaving accident victims with significant out-of-pocket expenses and no way to get compensated for their pain, mental anguish, or physical impairment.

How Much Uninsured Motorist Coverage Should You Purchase?

When people ask me how much uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage they should buy, I always say (only half-jokingly) to purchase as much uninsured motorist coverage as they can afford.

However, there is a catch. In Texas, you cannot purchase more uninsured motorist coverage than you have in liability insurance. For example, if you have $50,000 in liability coverage, the maximum uninsured motorist coverage you can buy is also $50,000. For a lot of people, this will limit how much uninsured/underinsured coverage they can buy.

Conclusion

When choosing your auto insurance policy, don’t just think about the legal minimum. Instead, think about what will actually protect you in a serious car wreck. The more uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance coverage you can afford, the more protected you and your family will be.

Get The Help You Need

If you have questions about your auto insurance policy or need help after a car wreck in Austin, Texas, I’m here to help. Reach out for a free consultation!

Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage here:

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims

Personal Injury Protection and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage