Studies on uninsured driving rates have consistently placed California among the states with a higher-than-average percentage of uninsured motorists on the road. For motorcyclists — who face disproportionate injury severity per crash compared to passenger vehicle occupants — this makes uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage particularly relevant.
What UM/UIM coverage does
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage generally allows you to file a claim with your own insurer when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. Instead of pursuing the at-fault driver directly (who may have no assets or insurance to satisfy a claim), you go through your own policy.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are too low to cover the full extent of your damages. UIM coverage can make up some or all of the difference, up to your own policy's UIM limit.
Is UM/UIM coverage mandatory in California?
Insurers are generally required to offer UM/UIM coverage when issuing an auto or motorcycle policy, but policyholders can typically reject it in writing. This means it's possible to have a policy without UM/UIM coverage if it was declined — which is why reviewing your existing policy documents (or calling your agent) to confirm what you actually have is worthwhile, ideally before an accident happens.
How a UM/UIM claim generally proceeds
- Report the accident to your insurer, noting that the other driver was uninsured or underinsured
- Provide documentation: police report, photos, medical records, and proof of the other driver's lack of (or insufficient) coverage
- Your insurer evaluates the claim similarly to how a liability claim against another insurer would be evaluated, though you're dealing with your own carrier
- Some UM/UIM disputes are resolved through arbitration rather than a lawsuit, depending on your policy's specific terms
Why this is a particularly relevant coverage for riders
Because motorcyclists tend to sustain more severe injuries relative to vehicle occupants in comparable crashes, the financial exposure from being hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver can be significant. Riders who haven't reviewed their policy's UM/UIM limits may be unaware of how much protection they actually have until they need it.
What to do if you're in this situation
If you've been in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or insufficient coverage, contact your own insurer promptly to begin a UM/UIM claim, and keep thorough documentation of your damages. For questions about how your specific policy's UM/UIM provisions apply, a licensed insurance professional or attorney can review your policy language directly.