Why UM/UIM Coverage Matters in Montana
A meaningful share of Montana drivers carry no insurance or only minimum coverage that cannot begin to pay for a serious injury. When you are hurt by such a driver, uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your own auto policy can step in to provide the compensation the at-fault driver cannot. This coverage is valuable precisely because it protects you against the gaps in others' insurance — and it can apply whether you were driving, a passenger, or even a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a vehicle.
Your Own Insurer Is Not Always on Your Side
It can be jarring to discover that pursuing a UM/UIM claim means negotiating with your own insurance company — and that the insurer may dispute fault, minimize your injuries, or undervalue your claim just as an opposing insurer would. You still have to prove the other driver's negligence and the extent of your damages. An experienced attorney can handle these claims, stack coverage where allowed, and hold your insurer to the coverage you paid for.
Act Within Your Policy and the Law
UM/UIM claims have both policy requirements and legal deadlines. Notify your insurer, preserve evidence of the crash and your injuries, and avoid giving a recorded statement or accepting a quick settlement before understanding your claim's value. Montana's three-year statute of limitations generally applies to the underlying injury, and policy provisions may impose their own timelines.
Montana deadline: Most uninsured motorist claims must be filed within three years from the date of injury under the statute of limitations. Evidence fades fast — don't wait to learn your rights.
Uninsured Motorist FAQs in Montana
Your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may pay for your injuries. It exists to protect you when the responsible driver cannot.
Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can cover the gap between the at-fault driver's limits and your actual damages.
Because your insurer may still dispute fault and undervalue your claim. You must prove negligence and damages, and an attorney holds the insurer to the coverage you paid for.