# Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage is Important | Omega Law Group ![WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/shutterstock_1964955754.2111231227550-300x200.jpg) Every driver should opt for uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage as part of their auto insurance policy. But why is it so important to add this extra monthly premium, especially if you have to pay a little more for it?According to a 2019 survey by the Insurance Information Institute (III), approximately 12.6% of all motorists on the road do not have *any* insurance for their vehicles. An unknown – but assumedly larger – percentage of motorists have only the bare minimum insurance requirement, which often cannot provide enough coverage to another motorist after a crash.Taking account of the uninsured motorists alone, this percentage means that about one in eight drivers on the road around you don’t have insurance. If you live in Mississippi, the state with the most uninsured drivers, then that number increases to *nearly one in three*. Do you feel comfortable not having any insurance protection against such a big percentage of drivers in case an [auto accident](https://www.omegalaw.com/los-angeles/car-accident-lawyer/) happens? ## WHAT HAPPENS AFTER AN UNINSURED MOTORIST ACCIDENT? If an uninsured motorist hits you, and you *don’t* have UM insurance, then you can only sue them directly for compensation. However, most drivers who don’t have insurance also don’t have any savings or assets that could be used to pay your damages. You’ll have to take them to court, and the legal battle will be an uphill one because courts don’t like ordering people to lose everything that they have to pay a debt, even if they would be paying someone that they hurt due to their negligence. If an uninsured motorist hits you, and you *do* have UM insurance, then the situation is different and a bit better. You can file against the UM policy that you bought from your auto insurance provider. They should cover your damages up to the policy’s cap. It might not be everything, but it is infinitely better than getting nothing at all. Keep in mind that UM insurance isn’t included in most policies. You have to buy it as an add-on. If you aren’t sure if you have it, then you should review your policy today. *Need help with a UM driver accident in California? Omega Law Group is the firm to call. *[*Get our attorneys on your side*](https://www.omegalaw.com/contact-us/)* today. We have offices in Beverly Hills, San Francisco, and Fresno.* #### CONTINUED READING - [“Facts + Statistics: Uninsured Motorists”](https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists) (2019) – Insurance Information Institute Car Accidents Blog Posts: [![Cars driving in the rain have drivers wondering how to stay safe on wet roads, potholes & sun glare](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/spring-driving-tips-stay-safe-on-wet-roads-potholes-sun-glare-300x199.jpg)](https://www.omegalaw.com/blog/spring-driving-tips-stay-safe-on-wet-roads-potholes-sun-glare/) ### [Spring Driving Tips 🌧️🚗 Stay Safe on Wet Roads, Potholes & Sun Glare](https://www.omegalaw.com/blog/spring-driving-tips-stay-safe-on-wet-roads-potholes-sun-glare/) To stay safe on wet roads, in potholes, and in sun glare, you should slow down, increase your following distance, [![A busy intersection. Learn about the most dangerous roads and intersections in Dallas.](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/dangerous-roads-and-intersections-in-dallas-300x200.jpg)](https://www.omegalaw.com/blog/dangerous-roads-and-intersections-in-dallas/) ### [Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Dallas](https://www.omegalaw.com/blog/dangerous-roads-and-intersections-in-dallas/) While accidents can happen anywhere, certain roads and intersections in Dallas see them more often. The most dangerous [![A pothole on asphalt on a dangerous road](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/dangerous-roads-and-intersections-in-houston-300x225.jpg)](https://www.omegalaw.com/blog/dangerous-roads-and-intersections-in-houston/) ### [Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Houston](https://www.omegalaw.com/blog/dangerous-roads-and-intersections-in-houston/) Dangerous roads and intersections in Houston include Interstate 45 (I-45), Interstate 10 (I-10), the Sam Houston [![Two attorneys meet and discuss the busiest roads in Los Angeles and the worst times to drive.  ](https://www.omegalaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/the-busiest-roads-in-los-angeles-and-worst-times-to-drive--300x200.jpg)](https://www.omegalaw.com/blog/los-angeles-busiest-roads-worst-times-to-drive/) ### [The Busiest Roads in Los Angeles and Worst Times to Drive](https://www.omegalaw.com/blog/los-angeles-busiest-roads-worst-times-to-drive/) While the busiest roads in Los Angeles include I-405, I-10, US-101, CA-60, and Sepulveda Boulevard, the worst times to --- Source: https://www.omegalaw.com/faqs/why-it-s-important-to-have-uninsured-motorist-co/