If you drive in Ohio, you’re legally required to carry liability insurance. But what many drivers don’t realize is this: the other driver may not have enough coverage — or any at all.  That’s where Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage becomes critical. And in today’s environment, carrying only minimum limits is a serious financial risk.  I can’t tell you how many times potential clients have called and said they have ‘full coverage’ only to find out that might not mean what they think it means.  Here’s why higher UM/UIM limits make sense.

Ohio’s Minimum Coverage Is Low

Ohio’s required minimum liability coverage is: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.  Those limits have not kept pace with medical costs. A single emergency room visit, imaging, and a short hospital stay can exceed $25,000 quickly. Add surgery, therapy, or long-term complications, and you can burn through those limits in weeks.  If the at-fault driver only carries minimum coverage, that may be all you recover — unless you have strong UIM coverage to protect yourself.

Many Drivers Are Uninsured or Barely Insured

Despite insurance requirements, uninsured driving still happens. Some drivers let policies lapse, carry minimum limits only, exclude household members, or misrepresent drivers on their policy.  If you are hit by someone with no coverage — or insufficient coverage — your UM/UIM policy is what stands between you and financial loss.

Serious Injuries Exceed $100,000 Faster Than You Think

A common policy limit is $100,000.  But if you consider surgeries, big injuries, multiple fractures, or lost wages for extended periods, it’s may not be enough.   It is not unusual for a moderate injury claim to exceed $100,000. More serious cases can reach several hundred thousand dollars or more.  If you carry only $100,000 in UIM coverage and your damages total $300,000, you could personally absorb the difference.  Higher limits — $250,000, $500,000, or even $1 million — can be surprisingly affordable relative to the protection they provide.

Your UM/UIM Coverage Protects You and Your Family

UM/UIM coverage does not protect the other driver — it protects: you, your spouse, your children, and passengers in your vehicle.  It will many times apply when you are a passenger or pedestrian as well.  Many of our clients are surprised to learn that their own policy becomes the primary recovery source when the at-fault driver is underinsured.

Lawsuits Against Individuals Rarely Solve the Problem

Some people assume they can “just sue the other driver.” In reality, many minimally insured drivers have limited assets.  Additionally, bankruptcy may eliminate recovery, and collection efforts are expensive and uncertain.

Your own UM/UIM coverage is often the most reliable source of recovery.

Protect Yourself From Other People’s Insurance Decisions

You cannot control who hits you, whether they carry insurance, or whether their limits are adequate.  But you can control your own protection.

In Ohio, higher uninsured and underinsured motorist limits are one of the smartest risk-management decisions drivers can make.

If you have questions about UM/UIM coverage or have been injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, consult with experienced counsel to review your options and protect your rights.

Chad M. Stonebrook, Esq. is a Partner at Lardiere McNair & Stonebrook, Ltd., LPA.

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