The Truth about Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Texas

The last thing on your mind when you’re on the road is whether or not the driver next to you has insurance — but the insurance status of other drivers has the potential to put you at significant risk. The unfortunate reality is that countless Texas drivers hit the road every day without proper coverage.

Uninsured motorist coverage is not just about following minimum insurance requirements — it’s about protecting yourself from potentially devastating financial consequences when the unexpected happens.

While many drivers assume they’re fully protected as long as they carry liability insurance, the truth is far more complex. Uninsured motorist coverage creates an essential safety net that can mean the difference between recovering from an accident and facing financial ruin.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with an uninsured or under-insured driver, reach out to Sellers Law Firm for a consultation, or call us at (817) 928-4222 to discuss your options.

What is uninsured motorist coverage in Texas?

Uninsured motorist coverage is insurance protection that kicks in when you’re injured in an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance at all. This coverage essentially steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver’s insurance company, providing compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages when the responsible party cannot pay.

The coverage also extends to underinsured motorist protection, which applies when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover the full extent of your damages. For example, if another driver causes a serious accident that results in $100,000 in medical bills but only carries the state minimum of $30,000 in liability coverage, your underinsured motorist coverage would help bridge that gap.

There are two primary types of uninsured motorist coverage available in Texas:

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI): This covers medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other injury-related costs when you’re hurt by an uninsured driver. It also applies in hit-and-run situations where the at-fault driver cannot be identified.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD): This coverage helps pay for vehicle repairs or replacement when an uninsured driver damages your car. However, this coverage is less common in Texas since collision coverage typically provides broader protection for vehicle damage.

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Texas?

Texas law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist coverage to every policyholder, but purchasing it is not mandatory. When you buy auto insurance in Texas, your insurer must present you with the option to add uninsured motorist protection to your policy, which you can choose to accept or decline in writing.

The state minimum requirements for those who choose uninsured motorist coverage mirror the liability insurance minimums:

$30,000 per person for bodily injury
$60,000 per accident for bodily injury
$25,000 per accident for property damage

You should note that these minimums often fall far short of what’s needed in serious accidents. A single emergency room visit can easily exceed $30,000, and that’s before considering ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, or lost income. Many insurance experts recommend carrying uninsured motorist limits that match or exceed your liability coverage limits.

The truth about uninsured motorist coverage

Despite its importance, uninsured motorist coverage is one of the most misunderstood areas of both insurance and personal injury claims. Many drivers operate under dangerous misconceptions that could leave them financially exposed when they need protection most.

Myth	The truth
“If I have health insurance, I don’t need uninsured motorist coverage.”	While health insurance covers medical expenses, it doesn’t compensate for lost wages, pain and suffering, or other non-medical damages. Additionally, health insurance often comes with deductibles and copays that can add up quickly after a serious accident. Uninsured motorist coverage provides comprehensive compensation that health insurance simply cannot match.
“Uninsured drivers are rare, so this coverage isn’t necessary.”	According to the Insurance Research Council, more than 1 in 7 drivers nationwide lacks insurance, and the numbers in Texas are even higher in certain areas. With millions of vehicles on Texas roads daily, encountering an uninsured driver is far more likely than many people realize.
“I can sue the uninsured driver for damages.”	While you technically can sue an uninsured driver, collecting damages is often impossible. People who drive without insurance frequently lack necessary assets to satisfy a judgment. Even if you win a lawsuit, you may never recover meaningful compensation without insurance coverage to tap into.

The reality about coverage gaps:

Even drivers who think they’re properly insured may discover coverage gaps when they need protection most. Some drivers carry only liability coverage to meet legal requirements, leaving themselves exposed if they’re hit by an uninsured motorist. Others may have policies that have lapsed due to missed payments, creating periods of vulnerability they don’t even realize exist.

Is it better to have uninsured motorist or collision coverage?

This common question illustrates a common misunderstanding about insurance coverage types. Uninsured motorist coverage and collision coverage serve different purposes and ideally work together to provide protection. Rather than choosing one over the other, most drivers benefit from carrying both types of coverage.

Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle regardless of who caused the accident. Whether you hit a tree, another car hits you, or you’re involved in a multi-vehicle accident, collision coverage helps repair or replace your vehicle. This coverage applies even if you’re at fault for the accident.

Uninsured motorist coverage, by contrast, focuses on compensating you for injuries and other damages when an uninsured driver causes an accident. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs that collision coverage doesn’t address.

Do I need uninsured motorist coverage if I have collision and comprehensive?

Having collision and comprehensive coverage provides excellent protection for your vehicle, but it leaves significant gaps in your overall coverage that only uninsured motorist protection can fill. Collision and comprehensive coverage focus primarily on property damage, while uninsured motorist coverage addresses the often much more expensive realm of personal injury damages.

What collision and comprehensive cover:

Vehicle repair or replacement costs
Damage from weather, theft, or vandalism (comprehensive)
Damage from accidents regardless of fault (collision)

What they don’t cover:

Medical expenses beyond any personal injury protection (PIP) you may have
Lost wages during recovery
Pain and suffering compensation
Long-term care needs
Expenses related to disability after a car accident

How uninsured motorist protection helps you in case of an accident

When you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, uninsured motorist coverage becomes your financial lifeline. This protection works by essentially stepping into the role that the at-fault driver’s insurance should have played, providing compensation for a wide range of damages and expenses.

Uninsured motorist coverage can provide you with:

Immediate financial assistance. The coverage typically begins working shortly after you file a claim, helping cover immediate expenses like emergency medical treatment, ambulance services, and initial diagnostic testing.
Comprehensive damage coverage. Beyond immediate medical expenses, uninsured motorist coverage addresses the full spectrum of accident-related costs. This includes ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation services, prescription medications, and medical equipment.
Economic loss protection. Lost wages represent a major financial concern for accident victims, especially those who miss weeks or months of work during recovery. Uninsured motorist coverage helps replace lost income, ensuring you can continue meeting financial obligations while focusing on healing.
Pain and suffering compensation. Unlike health insurance or workers’ compensation, uninsured motorist coverage recognizes that accidents involve more than just economic losses. The physical pain, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life that follow serious accidents deserve compensation, and this coverage helps provide it.

No matter the scenario, whether you’re hit by an uninsured driver in a personal vehicle or involved in a commercial truck accident, evidence of wrongdoing isn’t enough in underinsured accident claims.

Even if black box data* established fault and the impact of your injuries is severe, without UIM you’ll be footing the bill for emergency room and hospital costs, rehabilitation costs, lost wages during months of recovery, and more. You’ll be left pursuing a lawsuit against someone who likely has no assets to satisfy a judgment, leaving you financially responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses.

*Continue reading: What does a car black box record?

Involved in an accident with the uninsured or under-insured? Call Sellers Law Firm to discuss your options.

When you’re injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, going through the claims process can feel impossible, especially while you’re trying to recover from your injuries. Insurance companies — even your own — will try to minimize your claim or delay payments when you need them most. This is why having an experienced attorney and uninsured motorist coverage is so essential to protecting your rights after an accident.

The Fort Worth truck accident attorneys at Sellers Law Firm understand the unique challenges that uninsured motorist claims present. These cases often involve complex negotiations with your own insurance company, detailed medical documentation, and careful calculation of both current and future damages. Our experienced team knows how to build compelling cases that maximize your recovery while handling the legal complexities so you can focus on healing.

Not all personal injury firms in Dallas/Fort Worth are created equal, and you only get one shot at justice — make sure you have the right team in your corner. Contact Sellers Law Firm at (817) 928-4222 for a free consultation. We’re ready to fight for your rights and help you get through this challenging time.

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