Utah Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims Explained
Short answer: Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you if you're hit by a driver with no insurance at all; underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage protects you if the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your damages. Utah insurers are generally required to offer this coverage, though you can reject it in writing — which is why it's worth understanding before you sign a waiver.
Who this guide is for
Anyone in Utah trying to understand their own auto policy's UM/UIM coverage, or anyone hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver trying to understand how to actually use it.
Why this coverage exists
Utah requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but in practice, some drivers are uninsured anyway, and many carry only the state's minimum required coverage — which may not come close to covering a serious injury's actual costs. UM/UIM coverage exists to fill that gap using your own policy, rather than leaving you unable to recover simply because the at-fault driver's coverage was insufficient or nonexistent.
UM vs. UIM — the practical difference
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all.
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits aren't enough to cover your damages.
Both work through a claim against your own insurance company, not the at-fault driver's — which puts you in a different kind of claims relationship than an ordinary third-party claim.
Utah insurers must offer it, but you can waive it
Insurers are generally required to offer UM and UIM coverage when you purchase a policy — but you can decline it, generally through a signed written waiver. Declining is a real decision with real consequences: without it, being hit by an uninsured or seriously underinsured driver could leave you covering your own medical bills and other losses with no source of recovery beyond your own resources.
How a UM/UIM claim actually works
Because you're making a claim against your own insurer, it's worth remembering that your insurance company's financial interest in a UM/UIM claim is similar to how the at-fault driver's insurer would behave in an ordinary claim — they're still evaluating the claim's value, and their interests aren't automatically aligned with maximizing your recovery just because you're their customer. Treating a UM/UIM claim with the same care and documentation as any other injury claim is worthwhile.
Common situations where UM/UIM coverage matters
- A hit-and-run accident where the at-fault driver is never identified
- An accident with a driver who let their insurance lapse
- A serious injury where the at-fault driver only carries Utah's minimum liability limits, which may not come close to covering significant medical costs
Frequently asked questions
Do I need UM/UIM coverage if I already have health insurance? Health insurance and UM/UIM coverage serve different purposes and often interact in specific ways (like reimbursement obligations) — this is worth understanding rather than assuming one makes the other unnecessary.
Can I still make a UM/UIM claim if I was partly at fault for the accident? Utah's comparative fault rules can apply here too — see Utah's Comparative Fault Rule for how shared fault generally affects recovery.
What if my insurer disputes my UM/UIM claim? This can happen, since your insurer is still evaluating the claim's validity and value — a disputed UM/UIM claim is a good reason to consider a consultation, given you're essentially negotiating against your own insurance company.