Your Own Car Insurance Can Be Your Best Protection: Why Every NJ Driver Needs Strong UM/UIM Coverage

Most drivers think car insurance is about protecting others — but in New Jersey, one of the smartest things you can do to protect yourself is to review your Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.

Every week, we meet people who were seriously hurt in crashes caused by someone else — only to discover that the at-fault driver had no insurance or bare minimum coverage. In New Jersey, that could mean as little as $25,000, which often doesn’t come close to covering medical bills, lost wages, or long-term pain and suffering.

That’s where UM/UIM coverage steps in. It’s your safety net — insurance you buy for yourself, built into your own policy, that protects you when the other driver can’t.

Here’s why it matters:

  • 1 in 8 drivers in New Jersey is uninsured.
  • Many others carry the state minimum — leaving you exposed.
  • UM/UIM coverage allows your insurance company to step in and pay what the at-fault driver can’t.
  • It can cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and economic losses that go far beyond PIP benefits.

Real-life example:
Our firm recently represented a client who suffered spinal injuries in a crash caused by an underinsured driver. The at-fault driver’s policy maxed out quickly, but because our client had strong UM/UIM coverage, we were able to pursue their own insurer for additional compensation — without raising their premiums.

Bottom line:
If you haven’t reviewed your car insurance policy lately, now is the time. Look for “Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage” and make sure your limits match your liability coverage — ideally $250,000 or more.

You can’t control who hits you. But you can control how well you’re protected when they do. That’s why we created a guide: to help you make smart, informed insurance decisions that safeguard your health, finances, and legal rights. 

 

Call Today (732) 481-9100 for a Free Consultation with John Mennie or Greg Heizler at our office in Ocean Township or Toms River.

When you hire Mennie Heizler Law Group, you’re not just hiring a law firm—you’re gaining a team that treats you like family.