Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Claims in California
Not every driver carries enough insurance — or any at all. When the person who hurt you cannot cover your losses, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may step in to pay for your injuries.
What UM and UIM coverage do
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance — including many hit-and-run cases. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage helps when the other driver has some insurance, but not enough to cover your injuries. Both come from your own policy, and they exist precisely for the situations where the responsible driver cannot pay.
When these claims come up
UM/UIM often matters after a hit-and-run, a crash with an uninsured driver, or a serious injury where the other driver's limits are too low. Depending on your policy, it can also apply if you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or a bicyclist struck by a vehicle. If your injuries are worth more than the at-fault driver's coverage, it is worth checking your own policy.
Your own insurer may still fight you
It can feel strange, but pursuing UM/UIM means making a claim against your own insurance company — and it may still resist paying full value. These claims can involve strict notice requirements and, in many cases, arbitration rather than a court trial. Knowing the rules and deadlines matters, so you do not accidentally give up coverage you paid for.
Stacking and multiple policies
Sometimes more than one policy can apply — for example, coverage on another household vehicle. Whether and how coverage can be combined depends on the policies and the facts. Because it can meaningfully increase what is available to you, it is worth having someone look at every policy that might apply.
Don't leave your own coverage on the table
Many injured people never realize their own policy could help, or assume a claim against their insurer is not worth it. A free, confidential review can check what coverage may apply to your situation and how to pursue it — at no cost to find out.
Frequently asked questions
What is uninsured motorist coverage?
It is coverage on your own auto policy that pays for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance — including many hit-and-run situations. Underinsured coverage helps when the other driver has too little insurance.
The driver who hit me had no insurance — what can I do?
Your own uninsured motorist coverage may step in to pay for your injuries. There can be strict deadlines and notice rules, so it is best to report it and get advice quickly.
I was hit by a hit-and-run driver. Does UM apply?
Often, yes — uninsured motorist coverage frequently covers hit-and-run crashes, though prompt reporting and specific requirements usually apply. Confirm the details with an attorney.
Do I have to sue my own insurance company?
A UM/UIM claim is made against your own insurer, and these disputes often go to arbitration rather than court. That does not mean you are on your own — the process has rules an attorney can help you navigate.
Related California injury law
Official resources
External links are provided for general reference and are not affiliated with the firm.
This is general information about California injury law, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and deadlines can turn on specific facts.
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