Virginia and Washington Underinsured Motorist Coverage Explained

Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is insurance that a driver carries on their own auto policy to protect them when an at‑fault driver lacks sufficient insurance. In Virginia, state law mandates UM/UIM coverage on every policy, automatically matching the driver’s liability limits unless the coverage is expressly rejected. The minimum liability limits in Virginia are $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage, and the UM/UIM limits default to these amounts.

Washington law also requires UIM coverage to be built into every auto policy unless the driver waives it in writing. Claims must be filed within three years, and the claimant must prove fault, causation, and the full extent of damages that exceed the at‑fault driver’s liability limits. The process involves reporting the crash, seeking medical care, notifying the insurer, gathering the other driver’s policy information, and documenting all losses. Both states emphasize that UIM coverage serves as a safety net when another driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover serious injuries and related expenses.