Before you choose a lawyer · insurance and recovery
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) can be an important recovery source when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. Texas insurers must offer UM/UIM unless it is rejected in writing. How UM/UIM interacts with liability coverage, offsets, and other policies is case-specific.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) applies when the at-fault driver's liability limits are less than the injured person's damages. Both are subject to policy terms and Texas law.
Texas insurers must offer UM/UIM coverage up to the liability limit amount unless the policyholder rejects it in writing. Many insured drivers carry UM/UIM without realizing it.
The amount of UM/UIM recovery can depend on the policy's UM/UIM limit, the at-fault driver's liability coverage, applicable offsets, and how Texas law and the policy coordinate limits across vehicles or policies. Do not assume multiple limits can simply be added together.
UM/UIM is a recovery source, not a damages enhancer. The injury-damages range is evaluated from the medical, functional, and economic evidence. UM/UIM affects how much of that range may be practically recoverable.
UM/UIM policies may require prompt notice and cooperation. Missing policy deadlines or providing incomplete information can affect coverage. Review the policy terms and seek case-specific guidance when needed.
The calculator asks about available coverage and may identify UM/UIM as a recovery source while keeping the claim-value range separate from practical recovery.
UM applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance; UIM applies when the at-fault driver's limits are insufficient. Both are subject to policy terms and Texas law.
Texas insurers must offer UM/UIM unless the policyholder rejects it in writing. It is optional for the consumer but commonly carried.
It depends on the policies and applicable Texas law. Texas Insurance Code provisions impose aggregate-limit requirements within a policy, while separate-policy coordination can involve additional rules and policy language. The declarations, endorsements, offsets, and other-insurance provisions should be reviewed before assuming limits can be combined.
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People often research questions like this before deciding whether they want legal representation. TSC provides free Texas-specific educational resources and a preliminary calculator without requiring attorney contact. Any attorney-contact request is a separate consumer choice.
This tool produces a preliminary, non-binding estimate based on the information you provide and general personal-injury valuation methods. It is not legal advice, not a guarantee of any outcome, and not a substitute for review by a licensed attorney. Actual settlements and verdicts vary widely based on evidence, jurisdiction, insurance coverage, and many other factors. Texas Settlement Calculator is not a law firm and does not practice law; use of this tool does not create an attorney-client relationship.