You’re driving through Little Rock, Fayetteville, or another Arkansas community when another vehicle hits you—and the other driver has no insurance. What happens next? The answer depends on your policy, the details of the crash, and the coverage you selected before the accident.
Many Arkansas drivers assume the at-fault driver’s liability insurance will pay for vehicle repairs and medical expenses. That process becomes much more complicated when the driver has no insurance, carries insufficient limits, or leaves the scene. Understanding uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can help you make informed decisions about your auto policy before a collision occurs.
Start with the Difference Between Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers
An uninsured motorist has no applicable auto liability insurance. This could happen because the driver never purchased a policy, allowed coverage to lapse, or was driving a vehicle that wasn’t covered. A hit-and-run driver may also be treated as uninsured for insurance purposes, depending on the policy language and available evidence.
An underinsured motorist is different. This driver has insurance, but the liability limits may not be enough to cover the full cost of your damages. For example, the other driver’s policy might pay part of your medical bills or vehicle repairs, while you still face additional expenses.
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may help with certain losses after an accident caused by a driver who lacks adequate insurance. Coverage can vary by policy and state requirements, so it’s important to review the actual terms rather than relying on a general description.
OZK Insurance can help Arkansas drivers review their personal auto coverage and identify questions to ask about uninsured and underinsured motorist protection. You can also learn more about the agency’s approach through the Arkansas insurance agency page.
What Coverage Might Apply After the Crash?
Several parts of an auto policy could become relevant after an uninsured-driver accident. Each serves a different purpose:
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: This may help with covered injuries caused by an uninsured driver, subject to the policy limit, exclusions, and claim requirements.
- Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: This may apply when the at-fault driver’s liability insurance doesn’t fully cover eligible injury-related damages.
- Collision coverage: If you carry collision coverage, it may help pay for damage to your vehicle after a covered crash, less your deductible. It generally doesn’t depend on whether the other driver has insurance.
- Medical payments coverage: If included in your policy, this may help with certain medical expenses for you or your passengers, regardless of who caused the accident.
- Liability coverage: Your own liability insurance generally protects other people when you cause an accident. It usually doesn’t pay to repair your vehicle or compensate you for your own injuries.
These coverages may coordinate with health insurance, other auto policies, or the at-fault driver’s available insurance. The order of payment and eligibility can depend on the situation. Your deductible, coverage limits, exclusions, and policy conditions matter, too.
For example, suppose an uninsured driver damages your sedan and you have collision coverage with a deductible. Your policy may help repair the vehicle after the deductible, subject to the policy’s terms. If you also suffer injuries, a separate coverage—such as uninsured motorist bodily injury or medical payments coverage—may be relevant.
Steps to Take After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver
Your first priority should be safety. Move to a safe location if possible, call emergency services when needed, and seek medical attention for serious or delayed symptoms. Then take these practical steps:
- Report the accident. Contact law enforcement and follow the applicable reporting process. A police report may provide important information for the insurance investigation.
- Exchange information. Collect the other driver’s name, contact details, license plate, vehicle description, and insurance information. If they cannot provide proof of insurance, document that fact without arguing at the scene.
- Photograph the scene. Take pictures of vehicle damage, roadway conditions, traffic signs, visible injuries, and the surrounding area when it’s safe to do so.
- Gather witness details. Names and contact information for people who saw the collision may be useful, especially in a disputed claim or hit-and-run case.
- Notify your insurer promptly. Even if you’re unsure which coverage applies, report the accident and provide accurate details. Delays can create additional complications.
- Keep records. Save medical bills, repair estimates, receipts, rental-car information, and notes about conversations with insurers or service providers.
Don’t promise payment, admit fault, or guess about details you don’t know. Stick to what you observed. Also, avoid authorizing extensive repairs before your insurer has had a reasonable opportunity to inspect the damage, unless emergency work is necessary to prevent further loss.
For questions about documents, policy changes, or claim-related communication, the OZK Insurance customer service center may be a useful starting point.
How to Check Your Policy Before You Need It
The best time to review uninsured motorist coverage is before an accident. Pull out your declarations page and look for:
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist limits
- Whether coverage applies to bodily injury, property damage, or both
- Collision coverage and the selected deductible
- Medical payments coverage
- Who is listed as a driver and which vehicles are insured
- Exclusions, conditions, and notification requirements
Also consider how your coverage fits your household. A newly licensed teen, a frequently driven second vehicle, a financed car, or a long commute may create different insurance needs. If you recently moved within Arkansas, purchased a vehicle, changed drivers, or experienced a major life change, your policy may deserve another look.
Drivers who need proof of financial responsibility after certain violations may have additional filing requirements. If that applies to you, review the SR-22 insurance information and confirm what documentation is required for your circumstances.
A renewal notice is another good opportunity to check limits, deductibles, vehicle use, and listed drivers. Instead of simply renewing without reviewing the details, use the insurance renewal resources to prepare questions for your agent.
You can’t control whether every Arkansas driver carries enough insurance, but you can make deliberate choices about your own policy. Contact OZK Insurance to discuss your auto coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist protection, deductibles, and the questions that matter for your household before an accident happens.