Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Illinois

You follow the law and buy auto insurance in Libertyville, IL. But what happens if you are hit by someone who didn't? Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage is designed specifically to protect you when the at-fault driver cannot.

1. What is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

If another driver causes an accident, their liability insurance is supposed to pay for your medical bills and car repairs. But if they don't have insurance, or their limits are too low, you could be left with massive bills.

• Uninsured Motorist (UM): Steps in to pay for your medical bills if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance at all, or if you are the victim of a hit-and-run.
• Underinsured Motorist (UIM): Steps in if the at-fault driver has insurance, but their limits are not high enough to cover the full cost of your severe injuries.

2. How Does It Work?

UM/UIM coverage acts as a substitute for the at-fault driver's missing liability insurance. It pays for things like:

• Medical expenses and hospital bills for you and your passengers.
• Lost wages if you cannot work due to your injuries.
• Pain and suffering.

Note: In Illinois, standard UM/UIM covers Bodily Injury. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) is a separate coverage you can purchase to fix your car if hit by an uninsured driver, though if you carry standard Collision coverage, your car is already protected.

3. Illinois Requirements

The state of Illinois requires all drivers to carry Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UM) coverage. The minimum required limits match the state's liability minimums: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Furthermore, if you choose to purchase higher liability limits (for example, $100,000/$300,000), Illinois law requires your insurance company to offer you UM/UIM limits that match your liability limits.

4. The Real-World Risks

According to the Insurance Research Council, over 10% of drivers in Illinois are uninsured. That means 1 in 10 cars passing you on the road has no coverage.

If you are hit by one of these drivers and suffer a severe injury requiring surgery and rehab, $25,000 in state-minimum UM coverage will disappear rapidly. Increasing your UM/UIM limits is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your own financial future.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Keeping limits too low: Don't settle for the state minimum. Match your UM/UIM limits to your bodily injury liability limits. If you want $100,000 in protection for strangers you might hit, you deserve that same level of protection for yourself.
• Relying solely on health insurance: While your health insurance pays medical bills, it will not pay for your lost wages or pain and suffering if you are hit by an uninsured driver.

6. Why This Matters for Libertyville Drivers

With major arteries like Route 21, Route 137, and I-94 running through and around Libertyville, local drivers are exposed to heavy traffic from across the state and neighboring Wisconsin. You cannot control whether the driver next to you is carrying insurance, but you can control how well you are protected if they hit you.