Jake Kimball | September 17, 2026 | Car Accidents
If you get into a car accident in Colorado and the driver who caused it doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough of it, you could be left covering your own medical bills and other losses out of pocket. That’s where uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage comes in. UM/UIM insurance is a type of protection you purchase through your own auto policy that steps in when the at-fault driver can’t pay for the damage they caused.
Learning about how UM/UIM works and whether you have it on your policy could make a major difference if you’re ever involved in a crash. Read on for more information about how this coverage operates under Colorado law.
How Does UM/UIM Coverage Work?
UM/UIM coverage essentially takes the place of the insurance the other driver should have had. It pays for your bodily injury losses when the person who hit you either has no insurance at all or doesn’t carry enough to cover what you’re owed.
There are two parts to this coverage, each of which serves different purposes:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance whatsoever. It also covers hit-and-run accidents and situations where the driver who caused the crash can’t be identified.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver does have insurance, but their policy limits aren’t high enough to cover the full extent of your damages. UIM coverage bridges that gap up to your own policy limits.
When you purchase one, you’re getting both, in that they appear together on your declarations page and share the same coverage limits. Standard UM/UIM coverage under C.R.S. § 10-4-609 covers bodily injury rather than damage to your vehicle. Separate coverage, such as collision or available uninsured motorist property damage coverage, may apply to vehicle damage.
Is UM/UIM Coverage Required in Colorado?
No, but it comes close. Colorado law does not require drivers to carry UM/UIM coverage, but under CRS 10-4-609 and 10-4-610, every insurance company in the state is required to offer it to you. The coverage they offer must match your bodily injury liability limits. If you carry $100,000 in liability coverage, for example, you’ll be offered $100,000 in UM/UIM coverage as well.
If you want to decline the coverage or reduce it to a lower amount, you have to do so in writing. Because Colorado generally requires a written rejection of UM/UIM coverage, drivers who are unsure whether they have it should review their policy and coverage documents.
Who Is Covered Under a UM/UIM Policy?
UM/UIM coverage in Colorado typically extends beyond just the person named on the policy.
Depending on the policy and circumstances, UM/UIM coverage may extend to:
- The named insured (the policyholder)
- Family members who live in the same household
- Anyone occupying the insured vehicle with permission at the time of the accident
In some cases, you may even be covered by your own UM/UIM policy if you’re injured as a pedestrian or while riding in someone else’s vehicle. The specifics depend on the language of your policy, so reviewing it carefully or having a personal injury attorney look it over is a good idea.
Contact the Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorney at Kimball Injury Law, LLC for Helo Today
If you were injured in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver in Colorado, your own UM/UIM coverage may be the key to getting the compensation you need. Kimball Injury Law, LLC is here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyer to learn more about your rights and options.
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