About 14% of Missouri drivers are uninsured, which means roughly one in seven drivers on the road has no liability coverage. If one of them hits you, you can’t collect from an insurance policy that doesn’t exist. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of options. The answer usually lies in your own insurance policy.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

Missouri generally requires uninsured motorist coverage. Under RSMo § 379.203, every auto liability policy issued in Missouri must include UM coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. So if you carry a Missouri auto policy, you almost certainly have UM coverage. It acts as a substitute for the at-fault driver’s missing liability policy, paying for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your UM policy limits.

Filing a UM Claim Against Your Own Insurer

Here’s the part that surprises people: when you file a UM claim, your own insurance company becomes your adversary. They’re no longer “on your side.” They will investigate your claim, challenge your medical treatment, dispute the severity of your injuries, and try to pay as little as possible. Having a lawyer is arguably more important in a UM claim than in a standard third-party claim.

What If You Don’t Have UM Coverage?

Because Missouri requires UM coverage, most people injured by an uninsured driver have somewhere to turn. But if no UM coverage is available to you — for example, you had no auto policy of your own and no household policy extends to you — your options are more limited. You can sue the uninsured driver personally, but collecting a judgment from someone who couldn’t afford car insurance is extremely difficult. This is why I always recommend carrying the highest UM/UIM limits you can afford.

If you’ve been injured, call Benecke Injury Law at (417) 553-4898 for a free consultation. We handle cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.

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If you’ve been injured, contact Benecke Injury Law at (417) 553-4898 for a free case review.