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Uninsured motorist insurance coverage pays for damages caused by a driver with no insurance. In many situations, that driver may have had insurance at one time, but let it expire. Underinsured coverage pays for damages caused by a driver with less insurance than is required to make you "whole."

It's important to protect yourself first by checking to see if you have uninsured/underinsured coverage on your policy, as your state may not require it. You can always add uninsured or underinsured coverage to your existing policy.

If you're in an accident, make sure you get contact information from the other driver, including insurance information, and give it to your own insurance company.

In the case of an uninsured driver, your insurance company may require a signed statement from the uninsured driver stating that he or she has no insurance. Then you may make a claim with your own company for all of your damages. In the case of an underinsured driver, you'll be compensated for your damages by the other driver’s insurance company up to their policy limits, and then make a claim with your own insurance company for the balance.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage may put you at odds with your own insurance company, especially if you disagree on whose fault the accident was or the extent of your injuries. The company may reduce your compensation if it decides you were at fault, even in a minor way. If you are in conflict with your insurance company, talk with a car accident attorney experienced in uninsured or underinsured claims.