Riders invest a lot of time thinking and talking about helmets, road hazards, distracted drivers, and whether the car next to them even sees them. Motorcycle Man wants riders to ask what happens after the crash if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance or no known identity.
That is where UM/UIM coverage can make all the difference.
What Is UM/UIM “Safety Net” Insurance?
UM stands for Uninsured Motorist coverage.
UIM stands for Underinsured Motorist coverage.
If you ride in Texas, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may be one of the most important protections in your insurance policy. It can be the safety net that helps cover your losses when the driver who hit you cannot.
Together, this coverage is designed to protect you when the other driver is legally responsible for the crash, but either:
- has no liability insurance at all, or
- has too little insurance to fully pay for your injuries and losses, or
- no known identity.
In plain English, UM/UIM coverage can step in when the person who caused the wreck does not have enough coverage to make things right.
For motorcycle riders, that matters a lot.
Motorcycle Man knows even any crash can lead to serious injuries, major medical bills, time away from work, and long-term pain. Motorcycle Man’s favorite secretary of all time broke her pelvis tipping over in the Harley Davidson showroom lot. She came in a wheelchair for 3 months. Strength in recovery is essential to maximizing your recovery physically and financially.
All that being said. Damages can quickly exceed the limits of a low limit policy.
What Can UM/UIM Coverage Help Pay For?
Depending on the policy and the facts of the case, UM/UIM coverage may help with losses such as:
- medical expenses
- future medical treatment
- lost wages
- reduced earning capacity
- pain and suffering
- physical impairment
- mental anguish
- property damage
In some situations, it can also apply in hit-and-run cases, which is another reason riders should not overlook it.
A Common Misunderstanding
A lot of people assume that there Texas state-required insurance protects the rider. Like health insurance.
Motorcycle Man says this and quote him, “Your Texas state-required insurance will NEVER PAY YOU A DIME FOR YOUR INJURIES! Sam Rayburn done it that way.
It often is not easy for people to understand.
Under Texas law you have to expressly “REJECT” this type of insurance with a signature. To this day Motorcycle Man has not figured out what this means given the intricate nature of the Texas Legislature and the Insurance Defense Industry.
My guess is we are getting screwed!!!
Whatever the politics.
The Bottom Line for Texas Riders
UM/UIM coverage is not the flashy part of an insurance policy. It is easy to skip over AS YOU SIGN A REJECTION OF IT until the day you actually need it.
For more information about UM/UIM coverage
CALL DEANO (832) 444-6085
