When buying auto insurance, you’ve got to think of every eventuality. The road is naturally an unpredictable place. Car insurance is mandatory in the state of California, but some drivers still let their policies lapse, and you’ve got to be prepared in the meantime. Here’s a quick guide to uninsured coverage: what it is and why it’s important.

What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you if you get into an auto accident with a driver who doesn’t have adequate (or any) liability insurance. If the other driver is at fault but doesn’t have insurance, you could be stuck paying for your and your passengers’ medical expenses out of pocket.

Uninsured or underinsured coverage does not always protect damage to your car. However, it will help pay for medical bills and make up for lost wages if you are unable to work following the accident. (In the worst-case scenarios, uninsured coverage can also help pay funeral expenses.)

What Does “Underinsured” Mean?

Not all auto insurance policies are created the same; ask any insurance agency in Long Beach. Sometimes, the other driver does have some form of auto insurance—just not enough to cover your expenses. That’s where our underinsured motorist policies come in.

Their liability limits may not cover the extent of your medical bills. Occasionally, their insurance company will deny the amount of coverage they need to compensate you. Either way, you’re better off safe than sorry with your own insurance.

Types of Uninsured Motorist Coverage

There are two main types of UM coverage for you to discuss with your insurance agent: UMBI and UMPD.

UMBI stands for Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage. This is the insurance that will pay your medical expenses if you are injured by an uninsured driver. It comes with a per-person and a per-accident limit for the amount they will pay, though some plans allow you to combine them into one number.

UMPD is Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage. If nobody was hurt in the accident but your car needs repairs, UMPD insurance will chip in, sometimes after a small deductible.

If you’re on the roads regularly, you and your car will need full coverage in case of accidents. While we’d all like to assume that everybody has auto insurance, some policies slip through the cracks and you’ve got to be prepared. Don’t get caught in the lurch if you are struck by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Bring this guide to uninsured coverage: what it is and why it’s important next time you meet with your insurance provider.