What You Need to Know About Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Alabama

By Ryan & Rouse | Personal Injury & Family Law Attorneys | 256-801-1000

If you’ve been hit by a driver who didn’t have insurance — or didn’t have enough insurance to cover your losses — you might feel stuck, frustrated, and unsure of what to do next. Fortunately, Alabama drivers have a powerful tool available: Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage, often called UM/UIM.

At Ryan & Rouse, we help injury victims recover compensation through their own insurance policies when the at-fault driver can’t pay. Here’s what you need to know about how this coverage works — and why it could make or break your case.

What Is UM/UIM Coverage?

UM/UIM coverage is part of your own auto insurance policy. It protects you and your passengers when the driver who caused the accident either:

• Has no insurance(uninsured), or

• Doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your medical bills, lost wages, or other damages (underinsured)

In Alabama, insurance companies are required to offer UM/UIM coverage when you buy a policy — and you must reject it in writing if you don’t want it. If you didn’t reject it, chances are you have it, even if you don’t realize it.

Why UM/UIM Coverage Matters

Alabama has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. The minimum liability coverage required by law is just:

• $25,000 per person
• $50,000 per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

If you’re seriously injured, that won’t come close to covering the costs. That’s where your UM/UIM policy steps in — it can pay for:

• Emergency room visits
• Follow-up medical care
• Surgery or rehabilitation
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering

And the best part? You’re not penalized for using your own policy if the crash wasn’t your fault.

How to File a UM/UIM Claim

To get paid under UM/UIM coverage, you still need to prove:

1. The other driver was at fault, and
2. They were uninsured or underinsured

Our firm handles every step — from gathering the crash report and medical records to negotiating with your insurer. Even though it’s your policy, your insurance company becomes your adversary in these cases, and they may try to minimize your payout. We won’t let that happen.

What If You Were a Passenger?

Good news: You can often file a UM/UIM claim through your own policy or the policy of the driver you were riding with, depending on the situation. These cases can be complex — but we know how to layer coverage and maximize recovery.

Don’t Assume You Don’t Have a Case

We’ve helped many clients recover thousands of dollars through UM/UIM coverage they didn’t even know they had. If you were in a wreck and the other driver didn’t have enough insurance, don’t walk away — call us first.

📞 Contact Ryan & Rouse at (256) 801-1000 for a free consultation. Let us review your policy and fight for the compensation you deserve.