Quick question: what’s actually in your auto insurance policy?

If your answer is “uh, whatever the guy with the lizard/emu/Jake-from-State-Farm sold me,” congratulations, you’re like almost everyone I talk to. Most people buy car insurance the way they buy printer ink. Grudgingly, as cheaply as possible, and without reading a word of it.

I get it. But here’s what I see every single week as an injury lawyer: people who did everything right, got hit by someone else, and then found out the hard way that the at-fault driver had barely any insurance and their own policy wasn’t built to fill the gap. Your auto policy isn’t just about protecting other people from you. Done right, it’s about protecting you from everybody else. If you have questions about your coverage after a crash, an Arnold, MO car accident lawyer can help you understand how your policy may protect you.

The Auto Insurance Coverages That Matter Most When You Get Hurt

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage. This is the one I’d tattoo on people’s arms if I could. A frightening number of drivers on the road have no insurance at all. If one of them hits you, UM coverage lets you make an injury claim against your own policy, as if the other driver had insurance. Without it, you might be stuck trying to collect from someone who has nothing to collect. Good luck with that.

Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage. UM’s slightly less famous cousin, and honestly just as important. Plenty of drivers carry the bare legal minimum, and bare minimums are low. A trip in an ambulance, an ER visit, and a few months of physical therapy can blow past those limits before you’ve even gotten your MRI results. UIM kicks in when the at-fault driver’s coverage isn’t enough to cover your damages. It’s the difference between a real recovery and a “sorry, that’s all there is” letter.

Medical Payments (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Depending on where you live, you may have access to one of these. They help pay medical bills quickly, often regardless of who caused the crash. That can be huge in the weeks right after a collision, when bills start showing up long before any injury claim is resolved.

Liability Coverage (and More of It). This covers other people if you cause a crash. It’s also required basically everywhere. The problem is that people buy the minimum and call it a day. If you ever seriously injure someone, low limits can leave your own assets, savings, and future wages exposed. Bumping your liability limits usually costs less than people expect. Worth a phone call.

Collision, Comprehensive, and Rental Reimbursement. These protect your car and your ability to get around while it’s in the shop. Not the headline act for an injury lawyer, but try getting to your physical therapy appointments without a vehicle and see how quickly this becomes important.

Common Car Insurance Mistakes I See All the Time

Buying the minimum because it’s “legal.” Legal and adequate are two very different things. The minimum is the floor, not a recommendation.
Rejecting UM/UIM to save a few bucks. Some people sign a waiver without realizing what they gave up. It’s often a small line item on your premium, and it can be the only real source of recovery after a serious crash.
Never reviewing the policy. You bought a house, had a kid, got a raise? Your coverage should grow with your life. Set a reminder to review it once a year.
Assuming your health insurance has you covered. Health insurance helps, but it doesn’t pay for lost wages, pain and suffering, or your car. And it may want to be paid back out of your injury recovery down the road.

How to Review Your Auto Policy Today (It Takes Ten Minutes)

Pull up your insurance app or your declarations page, which is the one-or-two-page summary of your coverage. Look for three things: your liability limits, whether you have UM and UIM (and how much), and whether you have MedPay or PIP. Then call your agent and ask what it would cost to increase them.

You might be surprised how affordable real protection is. And I promise you, if you ever end up in my office, you’ll be very glad you made that call.

Car insurance is one of those things that feels like a waste of money right up until the moment it’s the only thing standing between you and financial disaster. Buy it like it matters. Because one day, it will.

Car Insurance FAQs

What’s the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when they have some insurance, but not enough to cover your damages.

Is uninsured motorist coverage worth it?

From where I sit, absolutely. It’s often inexpensive relative to what it protects, and after a crash with an uninsured driver it may be the only coverage available for your injuries.

Does health insurance cover car accident injuries?

It can help with medical bills, but it won’t cover lost wages, pain and suffering, or vehicle damage. Your health insurer may also seek repayment from any injury settlement.

How much liability coverage should I carry?

That depends on your assets, income, and budget. Many people choose limits well above the legal minimum, and a licensed insurance agent can walk you through the options.

About the Author

Rob Schmittgens is a personal injury attorney and the founder of Schmittgens Injury Law Firm in St. Louis, licensed in Missouri and Illinois. He represents injured people exclusively and writes about insurance and injury claims in plain English. Find more of his work at Schmittgens Injury Law Firm or follow him @robwinsstl.

This post is general commentary based on my own experience and isn’t legal or insurance advice. Coverage options and requirements vary depending on where you live and your specific policy. Talk to a licensed insurance agent about your coverage, and if you’ve been hurt, talk to a licensed personal injury attorney in your state.

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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend Rob for personal injury representation! He was personable, professional, and resolved our case with impressive speed. We are very grateful for his help!
  
 
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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot recommend Rob Schmittgens highly enough. As an attorney myself, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Rob on cases, referring clients to him, and watching his growth over the years into the exceptional lawyer he is today. What sets Rob apart is not just his legal skill—though he is sharp, strategic, and relentlessly effective—but the way he genuinely cares about the people he represents.

Rob approaches every case with intention. He listens, he communicates, and he makes sure his clients feel supported and understood at every stage of the process. At the same time, he brings an aggressive, results-driven mindset when it matters most. He knows when to be compassionate and when to push, and he strikes that balance better than almost anyone I’ve worked with.

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On top of all of that, Rob is just a genuinely great guy. He’s the kind of person you enjoy working with, the kind of lawyer you want on your team, and the kind of friend you’re lucky to have. He’s also a fantastic dad, which says a lot about who he is at his core. And, of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that he’s very lucky to have met me—but in all seriousness, I’m the one who feels lucky to know him.
  
 
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   John B 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was injured in an auto accident that ended up totalling my car. The insurance company wasn't even offering enough for me to fully replace the vehicle on top of the fact that I needed to go be seen by a doctor and have treatments to repair my injury. I talked to Rob who was able to walk me through the process of making sure the insurance company compensated me for all of these issues. I chose his firm to represent me and in a very short periood of time he was able to settle with the insurance company so that I was able to purchase a replacement vehicle, covered all of my medical expenses and was able to reduce the medical costs to put money back into my pocket.  I highly recommend using Schmittgens Injury Law Firm. They will treat you right and have your best interest represented.
  
 
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