This is another article in our series on UIM/UM Insurance.
UM/UIM Insurance: A Rider’s Guide to Real Protection
Today we present Cody Huggins, a cool friend and avid rider who deals all the time with UM/UIM insurance that pays for your injuries when the other rider is either not identified (people hit and people run) or not well enough insured. Because of the potential serious nature of motorcycle wrecks, you need a lot of insurance for a full recovery and full compensation for all of your pain and losses, some of them permanent.
UM/UIM Insurance Q&A with Cody Huggins
Q: Cody, what do you ride and how often?
I ride a 2022 Harley Davidson Lowrider ST as my street bike and I am a year-round rider. I ride every chance I get.
Q: What are some of your favorite routes in Texas for long rides?
My favorite rides in Texas are all in the central Texas area around the twisted sisters and down to Concan. The scenery is beautiful and there is nothing better than stopping off in the Frio or Comal River after a long ride. If you’re in the Houston area the Sam Houston National Forest is also hard to beat.
Q: What do you do for living?
I am a licensed Texas property and casualty insurance agent with access to multiple insurance carriers. My focus is to bring advice and guidance to my clients to ensure they are well protected and understand their coverage.
Q: So we’re talking to someone who lives, breathes, and sells the critical, essential UIM/UM Insurance that EVERY rider needs?
Absolutely, it is important to me to help people understand their insurance coverage and offer guidance to keep them well protected. UM/UIM is an important coverage that I always discuss with my clients.
Q: As an insurance professional, what is UM/UIM insurance in plain English?
UM/UIM stands for Uninsured Motorist (UM) / Underinsured Motorist (UIM) insurance coverage. In plain English, it helps protect you if you’re hit by a driver who either has no insurance at all or not enough insurance to cover the property damage and personal injuries they caused. For motorcycle riders, that matters more than people realize, because even a moderate wreck can lead to major medical bills, lost income, and a long recovery.
Q: Why should motorcycle riders care so much about UM/UIM coverage?
While it is important in auto insurance as well, riders are exposed in a way drivers in passenger vehicles just aren’t. When you’re on a Harley or any bike, there’s no steel cage around you. If someone runs a light, turns left in front of you, or drifts into your lane while texting, the injuries can be life changing. UM/UIM coverage can become one of the most important protections on your policy when the at-fault driver doesn’t have any or enough coverage to cover the cost of the accident.
Q: I pay for insurance every month. My bike is registered with the State of Texas. Am I covered?
Motorcycle Man taught me his way of saying it, “If you don’t know, the answer is no.” UM/UIM is not required coverage in the State of Texas. That means the State of Texas required insurance does NOT include UM/UIM. So if you don’t remember selecting it, you may not be covered. Too often I see clients who do not carry this coverage as they do not understand the protection that it provides or the associated risks of not carrying it.
Q: Do you believe this area of insurance is overlooked by a lot of bikers?
Unfortunately, I do. Too many of us believe the insurance required by the State of Texas protects us from bodily injuries.
Q: Does Texas state-required insurance protect me from bodily injury?
No. It does not. That is the most common misunderstanding about motorcycle insurance that I see. In the insurance business we call state-required liability insurance “3rd Party Insurance” – it insures other people (i.e., third parties) from your negligence. State-required insurance will never pay you a dime for your own injuries caused by another driver. That is what UM/UIM is for. We live in a world where many people go online and look for the lowest cost coverage, but they don’t always understand the details of what they are or aren’t purchasing. Protecting yourself from injury is why UM/UIM coverage is so important to carry, because we can’t control how others drive or how much insurance they may (or may not) have.
Cody Huggins
Q: How much more does it cost? How much extra a month?
Honestly, everyone’s situation is different, and every carrier is different in how they rate their policies, so I can’t tell you exactly what it would cost. What I would tell you is that it is important coverage, and if you find yourself in a situation where you need it, the added cost will seem irrelevant.
Q: Do hit-and-run crashes fall under UM coverage?
Usually, yes. There needs to be evidence (an eye witness, damage to your bike, etc.) to prove contact with a “motor vehicle.” The Texas Legislature was concerned about fraud so the “physical contact” requirement was developed. But hit-and-run accidents are one of the clearest examples of why UM coverage matters. If a driver disappears and leaves an injured rider behind, UM coverage may be one of the only available sources of protection.
Q: What limits would you recommend? What deductible? If a rider is serious about calling his or her insurance company?
As I mentioned above, everyone’s situation is a little bit different as is their risk tolerance. I would suggest having a conversation with an insurance agent who wants to understand your personal situation as well as your risk tolerance so that they can help you find the best coverage to fit your personal objectives and ensure you are well protected.
Q: Does UM/UIM coverage replace health insurance?
No, and riders shouldn’t think of it that way. Health insurance and UM/UIM do different jobs. Health insurance may help with treatment costs, while UM/UIM can help address the broader damages caused by the accident like pain and suffering. That distinction matters because a motorcycle accident affects more than just medical bills.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake riders make with UM/UIM coverage?
The biggest mistake is not carrying enough of it — or rejecting it without really understanding what they’re giving up. Another mistake is assuming every policy is built the same. Riders should review their coverage carefully and ask questions until they fully understand what is and is not protected.
Q: Rejecting UM/UIM? What do you mean?
In the State of Texas, it is only required that a rider/driver carry liability protection. As we noted above, that is “3rd Party” insurance to protect people from your negligence. The additional coverage on a policy such as UM/UIM is optional. In other words, Texas does not require you to protect yourself, but you should protect yourself. The compromise in this area of insurance is that Texas law requires the rider to “initial” a box explicitly rejecting UM/UIM coverage. It is part of the application process – accepting or rejecting UM/UIM coverage.
Q: Thank you very much, Cody. Any final words of wisdom about living the biker life?
Enjoy every second on the road and keep the rubber down.
Q: How do riders get in touch with you if they want to talk about UIM?
You can call or text me at 713-540-0697
