After more than 25 years fighting for injured drivers, I’ve seen one issue cause more heartbreak than almost any other: getting hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance, or doesn’t have enough insurance. It’s gut-wrenching. A crash victim might be seriously hurt, out of work, and staring down huge medical bills… only to discover the at-fault driver can’t pay a dime.
In Colorado, where 17.5% of drivers are uninsured, this is a real risk every time you get behind the wheel.
The good news? You can protect yourself, if you take one crucial step before a crash ever happens.
Let me explain how Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM/UIM) works, why it’s so important in Colorado, and how you can make sure you and your family aren’t left holding the bag.
UM/UIM stands for Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist coverage. It’s part of your own auto insurance policy, and it kicks in when the person who hit you either:
Here’s the key point: UM/UIM protects you. It’s not about covering someone else. It’s the safety net for when the other driver fails to carry enough coverage — or any coverage.
“I tell every client: if you drive in Colorado, you need UM/UIM. It might be the most important part of your policy — and the only coverage that actually helps you after a serious crash that wasn’t your fault.”
— Scott O’Sullivan
Let’s walk through a real-world example from right here in Denver:
A client of ours, let’s call her Amy, was hit by a driver who ran a red light. Amy broke her leg and suffered a concussion. Her medical bills reached $75,000, and that’s not counting lost wages and long-term care.
But the at-fault driver only carried Colorado’s minimum liability coverage of $25,000.
That left a $50,000 gap. Fortunately, Amy had $100,000 in UM/UIM coverage through her own policy. That meant her insurance company had to step in and pay the difference – up to her UM/UIM limits.
Without that coverage, Amy would have been on the hook for everything beyond that $25,000.
Here’s where it gets confusing.
Colorado requires insurance companies to offer UM/UIM, but you can waive it in writing. Many drivers do this to save a few bucks, without realizing what they’re giving up.
“If you’re trying to cut insurance costs, don’t skimp on UM/UIM. That’s like canceling your health insurance to save money on your gym membership.”
— Scott O’Sullivan
Colorado Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements:
Reality check: A serious injury crash can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. That $25,000 minimum isn’t going to cut it. That’s why we recommend matching your UM/UIM to your liability limits or just getting the maximum you can afford.
Yes, but it rarely helps. If they don’t have insurance, chances are they don’t have assets either. You might win in court, but collecting is another story.
That’s why your own UM/UIM is the fastest, surest way to get compensated, without waiting years or fighting a losing battle.
Here’s what I recommend every Colorado driver do right now:
“I’ve had clients break down in my office when they realize they declined UM/UIM — and now can’t get help. Please, please check your policy before something happens.”
— Scott O’Sullivan
You can’t control what kind of coverage other people carry. But you can make sure you and your family are protected. UM/UIM is your lifeline when someone else fails to take responsibility.
And if you’ve already been hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Colorado, don’t try to handle it alone. These cases can get complicated fast — especially when you’re dealing with your own insurer.
Call or text us at (303) 388-5304 for free advice. We’ve handled countless UM/UIM claims across Colorado and know how to make the system work for you. You’ll speak directly with a lawyer — never a paralegal or intake team.
