Why Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Is Essential in Connecticut and Massachusetts

Most drivers assume that if they are injured in a car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for their losses. Unfortunately, that assumption is often wrong. Every year, many people in Connecticut and Massachusetts are hurt by drivers with little or no insurance. When that happens, the most important coverage on your policy may not be the one you think. It’s Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM/UIM).

At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we regularly represent clients who would have been left with unpaid medical bills, lost wages, and long-term financial hardship if not for UM/UIM coverage. Understanding how this coverage works—and why it matters—can make a life-changing difference after a serious crash.

What Is UM/UIM Coverage?

Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage protects you if you are injured by a driver who has no insurance or who flees the scene in a hit-and-run accident.

Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are too low to fully compensate you for your injuries.

In both situations, your own insurance company steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver and becomes responsible for paying damages—up to the limits of your UM/UIM policy.

This coverage can apply if you are:

• Driving your own vehicle

• A passenger in someone else’s car

• Struck as a pedestrian or bicyclist

• Injured in a hit-and-run accident

Why UM/UIM Coverage Matters More Than Ever

Despite mandatory insurance laws, uninsured and underinsured drivers remain a serious problem throughout New England.

Many drivers carry:

• Only the minimum required limits

• Policies that barely cover emergency medical care

• No insurance at all due to financial hardship, suspended licenses, or reckless behavior

Serious injuries often result in damages that far exceed minimum insurance limits, including:

• Hospitalization and surgery

• Long-term physical therapy

• Lost income or reduced earning capacity

• Permanent disability

• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress

Without UM/UIM coverage, injured victims may have no meaningful source of recovery.

UM/UIM Coverage in Connecticut

Connecticut law requires auto insurance policies to include UM/UIM coverage unless the policyholder specifically rejects it in writing.

Key points about Connecticut UM/UIM coverage:

• UM/UIM limits must be equal to your bodily injury liability limits, unless you choose lower limits

• Coverage applies to hit-and-run accidents

• Connecticut allows stacking of UM/UIM coverage in certain situations

• Your insurance company may dispute the value of your claim, even though it is your own carrier

For example, if you carry:

• $250,000 in bodily injury liability coverage

• $250,000 in UM/UIM coverage

You may be protected even if the at-fault driver has little or no insurance.

UM/UIM Coverage in Massachusetts

Massachusetts also requires UM coverage, but the rules differ slightly.

Key points about Massachusetts UM/UIM coverage:

• UM coverage is mandatory; UIM coverage is optional but strongly recommended

• Minimum UM limits are relatively low and often insufficient for serious injuries

• Coverage applies to hit-and-run crashes and uninsured drivers

• UIM coverage becomes critical when the at-fault driver carries minimal insurance

Massachusetts drivers frequently assume they are protected, only to learn after a crash that their coverage limits fall far short of their actual losses.

Why Minimum Coverage Is Often Not Enough

Minimum insurance limits were not designed to cover catastrophic injuries. Even a “moderate” injury can generate expenses that quickly exceed policy limits.

Consider how fast costs add up:

• Emergency room visit

• Diagnostic imaging (CT scans, MRIs)

• Surgery or hospitalization

• Physical therapy

• Time missed from work

It is not uncommon for damages to reach six or seven figures in serious injury cases. UM/UIM coverage often becomes the difference between financial recovery and financial ruin.

Common Situations Where UM/UIM Coverage Applies

UM/UIM coverage frequently comes into play in the following scenarios:

Hit-and-Run Accidents

If the at-fault driver flees and cannot be identified, UM coverage may be your only option for compensation.

Crashes With Uninsured Drivers

Some drivers ignore insurance laws altogether. UM coverage protects you when they do.

Low-Limit Drivers

A driver may technically be insured but carry only the legal minimum, which may not cover your medical bills alone.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

UM/UIM coverage often applies even if you were not in a vehicle at the time of the crash.

Why UM/UIM Claims Are Still Contested

Many people are surprised to learn that filing a UM/UIM claim can feel like suing your own insurance company.

Insurance carriers often:

• Dispute the severity of injuries

• Downplay pain and suffering

• Challenge medical treatment

• Argue over policy interpretations

• Delay or deny valid claims

Although UM/UIM coverage is meant to protect you, insurance companies are still businesses focused on limiting payouts.

That is why having an experienced personal injury attorney is critical.

How Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers Help With UM/UIM Claims

UM/UIM cases are not simple insurance claims. They are full personal injury cases that require strong evidence, legal strategy, and negotiation skill.

Our firm helps by:

• Reviewing your insurance policy in detail

• Identifying all available UM/UIM coverage

• Investigating the accident thoroughly

• Proving fault and damages

• Calculating the true value of your claim

• Negotiating aggressively with insurers

• Taking cases to arbitration or trial when necessary

We understand the tactics insurance companies use—and how to counter them.

Why UM/UIM Coverage Is One of the Most Important Decisions You Make

UM/UIM coverage is relatively inexpensive compared to the protection it provides. Increasing your limits often costs only a few dollars per month, yet it can safeguard hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits.

Choosing higher UM/UIM limits is one of the smartest financial decisions a driver can make—especially in Connecticut and Massachusetts, where traffic density and accident rates are high.

No Win, No Fee Representation

At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we handle UM/UIM claims on a contingency fee basis.

That means:

• No upfront costs

• No hourly fees

• No legal fees unless we recover compensation for you

Our interests are fully aligned with yours.

Protect Yourself Before and After an Accident

Before an accident:

• Review your auto insurance policy

• Consider increasing your UM/UIM limits

• Understand how coverage applies to you and your family

After an accident:

• Do not assume insurance will “take care of it”

• Do not accept a quick settlement

• Speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer

Contact Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers Today

If you were injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Connecticut or Massachusetts, you may still have powerful legal options. UM/UIM coverage is complex—but it exists to protect you.

At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we have helped countless clients recover compensation through UM/UIM claims when they thought they had no options left.

Call us today or request a FREE case evaluation online.

Get the Power of Perkins—and protect your future.