A Common Coverage People Overlook (00:00)
As Mark Moore explains, one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of an auto insurance policy is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. It’s often optional, which leads many people to decline it without fully understanding what it does.
The reality is, most people don’t think about their insurance until something happens. This coverage tends to get overlooked simply because it doesn’t feel immediately necessary—until it is.
What Happens When You Don’t Have It (03:30)
Mark shares a situation from years ago where a client chose to reject uninsured motorist coverage, only to later be hit by a driver with no insurance. The result was significant out-of-pocket medical expenses and no clear way to recover those costs.
As both Mark and Kathy point out, even legal action often doesn’t solve the problem. If someone can’t afford insurance, they likely don’t have assets worth pursuing. That leaves the injured party financially responsible for something they didn’t cause.
What This Coverage Actually Does (08:15)
Kathy helps clarify a common misconception—this coverage isn’t for the other driver, it’s for you.
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance
Underinsured motorist coverage applies when their policy limits aren’t enough
In either case, your own policy steps in to cover medical expenses, damages, and other losses. From there, your insurance company may pursue reimbursement from the at-fault driver.
Minimum Coverage Isn’t Enough (11:45)
Mark highlights how low minimum liability limits can be. In Georgia, for example, drivers can legally carry as little as $25,000 in bodily injury coverage.
That amount may not even cover an ambulance ride and hospital visit. If your damages exceed that limit, the remaining costs fall on you—unless you have underinsured motorist coverage to fill the gap.
It Covers More Than Just You (15:20)
Another point Kathy emphasizes is that this coverage often extends beyond just the policyholder.
Passengers in your vehicle—whether they’re friends, family members, or others—may also be covered under your policy. Without it, those individuals could be left trying to recover damages on their own.
How Common Are Uninsured Drivers? (18:10)
Mark points out a statistic that puts things into perspective: around 18.1% of drivers in Georgia are uninsured. That’s nearly one out of every five drivers on the road.
With odds like that, encountering an uninsured or underinsured driver isn’t a rare scenario—it’s something most drivers will face at some point.
Why People Only Appreciate It After a Claim (20:30)
Both Mark and Kathy note that many people don’t fully grasp the importance of this coverage until they’ve experienced a claim.
They’ve seen customers come back after an accident, making absolutely sure they had uninsured motorist coverage in place moving forward. It’s one of those protections that becomes clear only after the fact.
A Practical Way to Protect Yourself (22:00)
At its core, insurance is about protecting yourself from financial exposure. As Mark explains, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage helps eliminate a major gap—one that could otherwise leave you paying for someone else’s mistake.
Kathy reinforces the idea simply: you may not expect something to happen, but you can prepare for it.
Final Thoughts
Uninsured motorist coverage may be optional, but it plays a critical role in protecting you, your passengers, and your finances. With so many drivers on the road without adequate coverage, this is one area of your policy worth taking seriously.
If you haven’t reviewed it recently, now might be the right time to take another look.