Uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage have merged in the state of Washington. Yet, several states retain the distinction. Uninsured motorist coverage means that the person driving the vehicle at fault does not have any insurance. In this situation, you may have coverage under your own policy defined as “uninsured” coverage.

Underinsured motorist coverage covers you when the person responsible for the collision has insurance, but your injuries are such that their insurance does not cover all of your medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering.

In these instances, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will provide you protection. Again, this protection will extend to you while as a passenger in another vehicle, driving another vehicle, or if your children are in other vehicles. Likewise, it covers you and your other household family members as a pedestrian, bicyclist, skateboarder, and rollerblader.

Washington law presumes that you have uninsured/underinsured coverage unless you “waive it in writing.” Likewise, Washington presumes that you have PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage unless you “waive it in writing.”