Uninsured vs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage in MA, Explained
You buy car insurance with one goal in mind: protection. But what happens if the driver who causes your accident doesn’t have enough insurance-or worse, none at all? As the leaves fall this season, it’s a good reminder that sometimes what’s hidden needs to be revealed. For many drivers, the risks of uninsured and underinsured motorists are hiding right in their policies.
Let’s break down what UM/UIM coverage means in Massachusetts, why it matters, and how you can make sure you’re not left exposed.
What Do “Uninsured” and “Underinsured” Mean?
Under Massachusetts law:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage protects you if you’re hit by a driver with no insurance at all.
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage steps in when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your medical bills, lost wages, or other damages.
UM coverage is required in Massachusetts. UIM coverage, while strongly recommended, is often misunderstood or overlooked, leaving drivers vulnerable when accidents involve serious injuries.
The Minimum Coverage in Massachusetts
As of July 2025, Massachusetts law requires drivers to carry minimum coverage:
- Bodily Injury (BI): $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured Motorist (UM): $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM): Optional, but highly recommended
- Property Damage (PD): $30,000
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $8,000
These minimums may sound decent on paper, but in reality, they don’t go far. A single hospital stay can easily exceed $20,000. That means without strong UM/UIM coverage, you could be left paying out of pocket.
How UM/UIM Claims Are Handled
When you file a UM or UIM claim, you’re actually making the claim through your own insurance company. They step into the shoes of the at-fault driver’s insurer. This process may involve: submitting medical records, police reports, and evidence of lost wages, negotiating with your insurer (yes, even though it’s your company, they still want to minimize payouts), possible arbitration, or litigation if a fair settlement isn’t reached.
At Ravosa Law Offices, P.C., we advise and represent clients through this process, making sure their rights are protected and that insurers honor the coverage paid for.
The Risk of Relying Only on Minimum Coverage
Here’s the hard truth: Massachusetts’ minimum limits don’t reflect today’s medical costs or wage losses. Imagine being seriously injured in a car crash caused by a driver with no insurance. If you only have the minimum UM/UIM coverage, you may collect $20,000 while your medical bills could reach six figures.
The gap is on you unless you’ve secured better coverage.
How to Choose Better Protection
Boosting your UM/UIM limits doesn’t cost as much as you might think. When reviewing your policy:
- Ask your agent how much it would cost to increase your UM/UIM coverage to $100,000 or more.
- Consider your family’s needs: Do you have kids or dependents? What’s your monthly budget if you were out of work for months?
- Balance cost vs. risk: A small increase in premiums today can prevent financial devastation tomorrow.
When the unexpected happens, our personal injury team steps in to fight for your rights. We handle negotiations with insurance companies, build strong cases for maximum compensation, and provide clear guidance every step of the way. With offices across Massachusetts, we’re local, responsive, and here for you.
Don’t wait until after an accident to find out your coverage isn’t enough. Take a moment this fall to review your auto insurance policy. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver, call Ravosa Law Offices, P.C. for a free consultation. Remember: we handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis, which means no legal fees unless we win for you.
Contact your local office or reach out online today.