How does the auto insurance claims process differ for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Progressive?

As one of the country’s most well-known and best affordable auto insurance companies, Progressive understands that sometimes you suffer from an incident with a driver who doesn’t have sufficient liability insurance.

In these scenarios, you need Progressive’s uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. How does the auto insurance claims process differ for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage with Progressive?

These claims don’t differ much from claims with insured at-fault drivers, except you have to file it with Progressive first instead of the at-fault driver’s company (or both companies in the case of an underinsured driver). Here’s how it works. (For more information, read our “How does the auto insurance claims process differ for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Farmers?“).

The Different Claims Process for Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage With Progressive

Many drivers wonder — what happens if you hit an uninsured driver? Progressive has a type of auto insurance that gets you out of a financial jam if this unfortunate situation occurs.

This is called uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, or UM/UIM, and it can cover bodily injury and property damage.

How to File Progressive Uninsured Motorist Coverage Insurance Claims

When an uninsured driver hits you, you cannot file a claim through their third-party liability coverage because it doesn’t exist. While liability auto insurance coverage is required by law in most states, there will always be some irresponsible drivers who don’t have it.

If this happens to you, and you have Progressive uninsured motorist coverage, you can file an auto insurance claim for medical and damage expenses.

You should also get a police report when dealing with an uninsured driver to support your claim. Learn more about what you should do at the scene of an accident to prepare for an insurance claim to protect yourself from uninsured drivers.

Read more:

• What information do I need to file an auto insurance claim with Progressive?
• How does the auto insurance claims process differ for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Geico?
• Affordable Uninsured or Underinsured Auto Insurance Coverage

How to File Progressive Underinsured Motorist Coverage Insurance Claims

Underinsured motorist claims are a little more complex, but the process is still easy to understand. An underinsured driver only has the state-mandated level of liability coverage, and this is often not enough to cover medical and vehicle expenses and other types of loss in a severe accident.

When an underinsured driver hits you, their insurance company must exhaust the driver’s policy limits and pay you as much as possible. You can then file with Progressive using your underinsured motorist coverage to claim the rest.

Read more: How long does it typically take for Progressive to process an auto insurance claim?

How Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage With Progressive Works

Many states require you to have UM/UIM coverage in your policy. But even if you live somewhere it’s not required, it’s a good idea to have this coverage, or you may face a situation where you must pay out of pocket.

With Progressive, bodily injury coverage and property damage coverage protect you from both types of at-fault drivers. In total, there are four types of coverage:

• Uninsured motorist bodily injury: pays for medical bills for you and your passengers
• Uninsured motorist property damage: pays for damage to your vehicle
• Underinsured motorist bodily injury: pays medical bills for you and your passengers
• Underinsured motorist property damage: pays for damage to your vehicle

Progressive also notes that, depending on the state, you may have to pay a deductible for uninsured or underinsured motorist property damage claims but not for bodily injury claims.

It also states that hit-and-run accidents may fall under the uninsured motorist coverage umbrella. However, this depends on the state. Some states may require you to file a collision claim for this type of accident.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may also overlap with your health insurance.

Progressive notes health insurance sometimes won’t pay out until you use your auto insurance, in which case uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage is a good idea. Moreover, health insurance may include high deductibles, so bodily injury coverage can help offset costs.

Read more: Does Progressive cover medical bills resulting from an accident?

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Claims With Progressive: Final Verdict

All hope is not lost when you encounter an uninsured or underinsured driver. With the right coverage, you will receive the money you need for medical and repair expenses.

When you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Progressive, you can simply file your claim and have peace of mind that you won’t be on the hook for huge expenses. Read our Progressive auto insurance review to learn more about UM/UIM and other coverage types from this company.