If you think the worst thing about driving in California is the traffic, the episode's answer for second place is that about one in five drivers has no auto insurance, and many of the rest carry only the minimum. Aaron Bollinger of Bollinsure Insurance Services explains the one coverage on your own policy that pays you when the other driver cannot, or their insurance cannot.

This page follows that episode. The examples are illustrations, not quotes. Your declarations page and the issued policy control.

The numbers in the episode

The episode cites a 2025 IRC study for the figure that about 20% of California drivers are uninsured, which it describes as roughly one car in every five lanes of traffic. It also says California's minimum liability limits went up on January 1, 2025 to 30,000 per person, 60,000 per accident and 15,000 for property damage, and that they are scheduled to rise to 50,000, 100,000 and 25,000 in 2035. Those are the other driver's limits. Confirm the current figures before relying on them.

Uninsured and underinsured

Uninsured means the other driver has no insurance. Underinsured means they have some, but it is too little for what you are owed, such as a driver at the minimum when your injuries cost far more. The episode's example is $300,000 of medical expenses against a $60,000 liability limit, which leaves $240,000 for you and your passengers. The episode calls underinsured the scarier of the two in some cases.

What UM and UIM pay for

UM and UIM are short for uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage. The episode says they can pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and hit-and-runs. The coverage has two limits, per person and per accident. The episode's target is a limit of 250,000 per person and 500,000 per accident, and it says the coverage is a cost-effective addition to a policy.

Rejecting the coverage

An insurer has to make you reject UM and UIM in order to take it off, which takes a signed waiver. The episode suggests checking your declarations page, since you may have signed it when you first set up the policy or when you were on a family policy. If you want it back, it can be added.

How it fits with umbrella insurance

  • Underlying limits matter. The episode says umbrella insurers generally do not want to sit on top of minimum auto limits, because a low limit is used up quickly. It names 250,000, 500,000 and 100,000 as a common minimum for the underlying auto policy, and says some carriers require more and some grandfathered policies carry a 300,000 combined single limit.
  • UM limits usually match. The episode says the uninsured motorist limits usually need to line up with the primary limits for the umbrella.
  • Ask about it. Many umbrellas do not add UM by default, so ask whether it is included.

Collision, property damage and uninsured motorist property damage

The episode keeps three coverages separate. Collision coverage is what fixes your car when the other driver has no insurance, and some people waive it on an older car. Property damage is a separate coverage for what you hit, such as a lamppost. Uninsured motorist property damage is its own line too. Check each limit, not only the minimums.

The $85,000 example

If you are rear-ended, the injuries total $85,000 and the other driver has the $30,000 minimum, you are short $55,000 without UIM. With $100,000 of UM and UIM in the worst case, you are covered up to that limit. The episode adds that $100,000 will not satisfy every claim, which is where an umbrella would help with the larger ones.

The next step

Pull up your auto insurance page and find two lines: your liability limits and your uninsured motorist limits. The episode's advice is that if either one says 30,000, it is worth a call.

See auto insurance in California and umbrella insurance, or request a review of your auto limits. You can also call 562-268-9355.

This guide is general educational information. It is not legal, tax, or coverage advice. Coverage, eligibility, and pricing depend on the carrier, underwriting, and your policy terms. CA License 6013787.

Sources and Further Reading