Loading blog content, please wait...
By P & P Texas Insurance Group
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Texas Is Worth It TL;DR: Texas law doesn't require uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, but it's one of the most valuable pr...
TL;DR: Texas law doesn't require uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, but it's one of the most valuable protections you can add to your auto policy. It covers you when the other driver has no insurance or not enough — and in San Antonio, that scenario is more common than most people expect.
Texas is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying for the damage. Simple enough in theory. But what happens when the person who rear-ends you on Loop 1604 near La Cantera doesn't carry insurance at all?
Without uninsured motorist coverage, you're stuck paying your own medical bills, repair costs, and any other expenses out of pocket — even though the accident wasn't your fault.
That's the gap uninsured motorist coverage fills. It steps in when the at-fault driver can't.
Texas insurance companies are required to offer you uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage when you buy an auto policy. You can decline it in writing, and many people do — usually to save a few bucks on their premium.
What most people don't realize is how affordable this coverage actually tends to be relative to what it protects. We're talking about a coverage that could pay for your medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering if you're hit by someone with no policy.
There are two parts to understand:
Both matter. Texas only requires drivers to carry 30/60/25 in liability — that's $30,000 per person for bodily injury. A serious accident with an ER visit, imaging, surgery, and rehab can blow past that number fast.
Driving IH-10 through the Northwest Side during rush hour, merging onto 281 near Stone Oak, or navigating Bandera Road out toward Helotes — the roads here are busy. And a significant number of drivers sharing those lanes don't carry any insurance at all.
Texas consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of uninsured drivers. The Texas Department of Insurance requires all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, but enforcement only goes so far. Plenty of people let policies lapse or never buy one.
You can be the most careful driver in San Antonio and still get hit by someone running a red light at Huebner and Babcock with no insurance card in the glovebox.
UM coverage works like a safety net layered under your regular policy. If an uninsured driver causes an accident and you're injured, your own UM coverage can help pay for:
It also applies in hit-and-run situations. If someone clips your car on 1604 and takes off, UM coverage can help cover your injuries even though you never identify the other driver.
A common mix-up: people assume their collision coverage handles everything if another driver hits them. Collision covers damage to your vehicle, regardless of fault. That's it.
Collision won't pay for your broken collarbone, your spouse's concussion, or the three weeks of work you missed. Uninsured motorist coverage handles the personal injury side when the at-fault driver can't pay.
| | Collision Coverage | UM/UIM Coverage | |---|---|---| | Covers vehicle damage | Yes | No (in most Texas policies) | | Covers your medical bills | No | Yes | | Covers lost wages | No | Yes | | Applies in hit-and-run | Yes (for vehicle) | Yes (for injuries) | | Requires at-fault driver to be uninsured | No | Yes |
You need both working together for solid protection.
Your UM limits should generally match your liability limits. If you carry 100/300/100 in liability, carrying 100/300 in UM coverage keeps things balanced.
Choosing lower UM limits to save money can backfire. If you're seriously injured and the at-fault driver has nothing, your UM limit is the ceiling on what your own policy will pay for your injuries.
A few things to think through with your agent:
If you declined UM coverage when you first set up your auto policy — or you're not sure what limits you carry — pull up your declarations page and take a look. Spring in San Antonio means more storms, more road congestion, and more time spent driving.
Adding or adjusting UM coverage is a quick conversation. Anthony and the team at our IH-10 office can walk you through your current setup in about fifteen minutes and help you decide what makes sense for your family and your budget. Give us a call at (210) 536-5990 — we're happy to take a look.