Being hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver is a frustrating and frightening situation. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance — or doesn’t have enough — you may wonder how you’re going to pay for your medical bills and repairs. The answer may lie in your own insurance policy. Here’s how uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage works in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Requires UM Coverage — Unless You Opt Out
Oklahoma law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist (UM) coverage to all policyholders. This coverage is automatically included in your policy unless you explicitly reject it in writing. Many drivers have UM coverage without realizing it — check your policy declarations page or contact your insurer to confirm.
What Happens When the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?
Oklahoma consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of uninsured drivers — estimates suggest roughly 1 in 8 Oklahoma drivers is uninsured at any given time. If you are hit by an uninsured driver, your own UM coverage steps in to compensate you for:
- Medical bills and future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other damages you would have claimed against the at-fault driver
UM coverage also typically applies to hit-and-run accidents, where the at-fault driver cannot be identified.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage: When Their Limits Aren’t Enough
Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance — but their liability limits are too low to fully compensate you for your injuries. Oklahoma’s minimum auto insurance requirements are relatively low, and serious accident injuries often result in damages that far exceed those minimums. UIM coverage bridges the gap between what the at-fault driver’s policy pays and what your actual damages are, up to your own UIM policy limits.
Oklahoma’s Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements
Oklahoma requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. These minimums are often inadequate for serious accident injuries, which is why carrying adequate UM/UIM coverage on your own policy is so important.
How to File a UM/UIM Claim in Oklahoma
Filing a UM/UIM claim with your own insurance company is different from filing a third-party claim. You are entitled to the same compensation you would have received from the at-fault driver — but your own insurer may still dispute your claim, delay processing, or undervalue your damages. The process typically requires:
- Notifying your insurer of the accident and the other driver’s uninsured/underinsured status
- Documenting your injuries and damages
- Providing medical records and bills
- Negotiating with your insurer’s adjuster
- Filing a demand and potentially pursuing arbitration or litigation if the insurer disputes your claim
Why UM/UIM Claims Still Need an Attorney
Many people assume that because they’re filing against their own insurance company, the process will be friendly and straightforward. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Your own insurer has the same financial incentive to minimize your payout as any other insurance company. An attorney experienced with Oklahoma car accident cases and UM/UIM claims can navigate this process and fight for the full value of your claim.
Contact Warhawk Legal — Oklahoma Car Accident and UM/UIM Attorneys
Warhawk Legal represents Oklahoma accident victims in all types of personal injury claims — including UM/UIM claims against their own insurers. Attorney Joe Carson handles all cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win.
Call today for a free consultation: (405) 397-1717
Contact Warhawk Legal online · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma · (405) 397-1717 · warhawklegal.com