When you’re involved in a car accident, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Medical bills pile up. You might be unable to work. And in some cases, the at-fault driver may not have enough insurance—or any insurance—to cover your damages.
That’s where medical pay coverage, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage step in as game-changers. These types of coverage are barely discussed and often are not discussed at all.
At James Law Group, we’ve seen firsthand how these often-overlooked policy add-ons can make the difference between financial ruin and a full recovery. Whether you’ve been in a crash or are simply reviewing your auto insurance, this post will show you why these three forms of protection aren’t just smart—they’re essential.
1. Medical Pay Coverage Pays Your Medical Bills—No Matter Who’s at Fault
Also known as MedPay, medical payments coverage helps pay for medical expenses after an accident, regardless of who caused it. That’s right—you don’t have to wait for a liability decision or for someone else’s insurance company to maybe pay out. You get help immediately.
What MedPay Can Cover:
- Emergency room visits
- Ambulance fees
- Surgery and hospital stays
- X-rays, MRIs, and diagnostic testing
- Follow-up doctor visits
Even if you have health insurance, MedPay acts as a financial cushion—covering co-pays, deductibles, and treatments your regular plan might not include.
2. Uninsured Motorist Coverage Protects You From Irresponsible Drivers
Roughly 1 in 8 drivers in the U.S. is uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council. If one of them hits you, and they have no coverage to pay for your injuries, you could be left holding the bill.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage steps in and acts as if the at-fault driver had insurance—even when they don’t.
UM Coverage Can Pay For:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death damages (for surviving family members)
Without UM coverage, your only other option might be to sue the uninsured driver—a path that rarely leads to actual compensation, especially if they have no assets.
3. Underinsured Motorist Coverage Fills the Gap in “Not Enough” Policies
Sometimes drivers do carry insurance—but not enough to cover the full extent of the damage they cause. That’s where Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage comes in. Missouri has a minimum coverage requirement of just $25,000. That means that, in a serious wreck, the at-fault-driver’s insurance coverage might not even cover your medical bills.
Here’s an Example:
Let’s say the at-fault driver has $25,000 in liability coverage (the state minimum), but your injuries and damages total $100,000. UIM coverage can step in to cover that $75,000 shortfall, so you aren’t left with life-changing bills.
This is especially important in serious injury cases, where damages can quickly exceed low-limit policies.
4. These Coverages Are Inexpensive for the Protection They Provide
One of the biggest myths about these coverages is that they’re expensive. In reality, MedPay, UM, and UIM are among the most affordable options you can add to your policy.
Why?
Because insurance companies see these as low-risk additions. They only kick in under specific circumstances—and they help avoid costly court battles. That means you get more protection for a relatively low premium increase.
If you’re already paying for full coverage on your vehicle, adding MedPay and UM/UIM often costs just a few more dollars per month. And those few dollars could protect you from tens of thousands in out-of-pocket costs.
5. They Work Even If You’re Not in Your Car
Here’s a surprising bonus: UM and UIM coverage may follow you, not just your vehicle. That means if you’re hit by a car while walking, biking, or riding as a passenger in someone else’s car, your policy may still apply, depending on your policy language.
Similarly, depending on your policy language, you can often “stack” these policies if you have more than one car on your insurance policy. For example, if you have two cars both covered by $50,000 un-insured motorist coverage, you may be able to combine the two policies to get $100,000 of coverage even though you were only driving the one car. Increasingly, insurance companies are prohibiting the “stacking” of policies in their policy language, but it is still something to make sure you are aware of with you policy.
6. They Can Help You Avoid Lawsuits—and Speed Up Compensation
In many accident cases, injured people are forced to file a lawsuit just to get the compensation they need. But when you carry UM/UIM and MedPay, you can often avoid this route altogether. MedPay, in particular, almost never requires a lawsuit since in it a “no-fault” coverage.
Benefits:
- Faster payouts (no need to wait for third-party insurance approval)
- Less paperwork
In short, these coverages can help put money in your hands when you need it most.
7. We’ve Seen the Difference—Firsthand
At James Law Group, we’ve worked with countless clients who were hit by uninsured or underinsured drivers. We’ve seen people overwhelmed by medical debt. We’ve also seen what happens when someone has UM/UIM coverage and MedPay in place: recovery is often smoother, faster, and far less stressful.
Even even if your own insurance company refuses to treat you fairly, we can still make them do so in a lawsuit if necessary. Read about just such a case here.
Why Most People Don’t Have These Coverages—and Why That Needs to Change
We find that, frequently, people don’t really know what these coverages are or why they are important. Too often, people waive these coverages because they want to save money or don’t understand their value. Unfortunately, many insurance agents don’t take the time to explain them.
Here’s the truth: you can’t afford to skip them.
With MedPay and UM/UIM, you’ll have a financial buffer and legal options that don’t rely on the other driver doing the right thing.
How to Check and Adjust Your Coverage
Want to make sure you’re protected? Here’s how to check:
- Review your auto insurance policy or contact your agent.
- Look for sections titled Medical Payments, UM, or UIM.
- If you don’t see them, ask your agent to quote the cost to add them.
- Opt for limits that reflect real-world injury costs—Med Pay options available often only cover a few thousand dollars, but UM and UIM coverages should be as high you can make them and no less than $100,000, if possible. Remember, the policy limit on these policies is how much YOU can collect if the worst happens.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Car accidents are unpredictable. What you do have control over is how well you’re protected when they happen. By adding medical pay, uninsured motorist, and underinsured motorist coverage, you’re not just protecting your finances—you’re protecting your future.
At James Law Group, we believe in being proactive, prepared, and protected. These coverages are some of the smartest investments you can make, and we’re here to help you understand and use them if the need ever arises.
If you’ve been in an accident and aren’t sure what your coverage allows, or if you’re dealing with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance—call us. We take justice seriously, and we fight to make sure you get what you’re owed.
Contact James Law Group Today
Need help with an auto accident, insurance claim, or personal injury case?
Let’s make sure your rights—and your recovery—are protected.
📍 Serving clients across Missouri
🌐 jameslawgroup.net
📲 636-397-2411