The Facts
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage is optional in Washington and Idaho but mandatory in Oregon. This coverage provides the insured driver(s) and passengers with bodily injury coverage, up to the policy limits, when an injury results from a motor vehicle accident caused by the owner or operator of an uninsured vehicle or a "hit-and-run" driver.

This coverage also applies when the at-fault driver's policy limits are insufficient to cover the losses. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage protects you or an insured family member if an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you while you are a pedestrian.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage coverage is optional in Washington, Oregon and Idaho and provides coverage for damage to your insured vehicle caused by the owner or operator of an uninsured vehicle, a "hit-and-run" driver, or when the at-fault driver's policy limits are insufficient to cover the losses.

If you choose not to purchase Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage, you may be asked to sign a waiver.

Key Facts and Statistics:

• According to the Insurance Research Council, 13.8% of all drivers are uninsured. Nationally, the chances are one in seven that someone will be injured in an auto accident caused by an uninsured driver.
• The IRC's latest study on uninsured drivers shows a strong correlation between the unemployment rate and the rate of uninsured drivers. As unemployment rates increase, so does the rate of uninsured drivers.
• With the sagging economy, the IRC projects the national uninsured driver rate to increase to nearly 16% by 2010.
• Approximately, 16% of Washington drivers are uninsured, 11% in Oregon and 9% in Idaho. The national average is 14%.
• Uninsured/underinsured drivers cost insured drivers more than $80 million per year in Washington.
• Hit and run accidents increased 15% nationwide from 1998-2002.
• Nationally, nearly 14% of every 100 traffic accidents are the result of hit-and-run.
• With the increase in uninsured drivers over the past 10 years, it makes sense to consider carrying Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage.
• Drivers are encouraged to review their auto insurance policies or talk with their insurance agents or companies once a year to make sure they have the coverage they want and need.

Additional Resources:
Insurance Research Council
Insurance Information Institute