What happens when the at-fault driver is uninsured? If an at-fault driver has no bodily-injury insurance or too little coverage, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may provide benefits under an applicable policy. Coverage is not automatic in every case; the policy, coverage selections, insured status, notice, fault, injuries, and damages must be evaluated.
Reviewed for legal accuracy by Ryan C. Hasanbasic, Florida Bar No. 44119 | Updated August 20, 2026
Fowkes & Hasanbasic represents people injured in car accidents and insurance disputes throughout Tampa Bay and Florida. Our lawyers personally evaluate and handle each case, identify potential policies, investigate fault, preserve evidence, and document injuries and losses.
Return to our Florida Car Accident hub or review the broader Florida Personal Injury practice.
Contents
Uninsured vs. Underinsured Motorist Claims
Uninsured motorist coverage may apply when the responsible driver lacks applicable bodily-injury coverage or in some hit-and-run situations. Underinsured motorist coverage may apply when the responsible driver’s available liability coverage is insufficient for the proven losses. Florida policies and coverage elections must be reviewed individually.
Which Policies May Apply?
- A policy covering the occupied vehicle
- The injured person’s own automobile policy
- A resident relative’s household policy
- Employer, commercial, rideshare, or delivery coverage
- An umbrella or excess policy
- Coverage associated with another involved vehicle
Whether a person qualifies as an insured, whether coverage was selected or rejected, and whether multiple coverages may be stacked are policy-specific questions.
What an Insurer May Dispute
An uninsured-motorist insurer may contest fault, whether the other vehicle was uninsured, policy conditions, insured status, medical causation, the seriousness of injuries, damages, or the amount of available coverage. Although it is the injured person’s own insurer, the claim may still be adversarial.
Hit-and-Run and Unknown Drivers
Uninsured-motorist coverage may be relevant when a responsible driver leaves and cannot be identified, subject to policy terms and proof. Promptly report the crash and preserve witnesses, video, vehicle damage, debris, and law-enforcement information. Read more about Florida hit-and-run claims.
Uninsured Motorist Questions
Does PIP replace an uninsured-motorist claim?
No. They are different coverages with different benefits and requirements. Both may need to be evaluated after a crash.
Can coverage come from more than one policy?
Possibly. Vehicle, household, employment, and policy language may affect the available coverage.
Should I accept the insurer’s coverage statement?
Important coverage issues should be evaluated using the policies, endorsements, declarations, and any applicable selection or rejection forms.
Request a Free Uninsured-Motorist Case Review
Fowkes & Hasanbasic offers a free case review and generally handles personal injury matters on a contingency-fee basis under a written representation agreement.
Contact the firm, return to the Car Accident hub, or review the main Personal Injury hub.