Do you need uninsured motorist coverage if you have collision? Many Arizona drivers assume collision coverage makes uninsured motorist coverage unnecessary. Arizona law and real crash costs tell a different story.
Collision pays for damage to your vehicle. Uninsured motorist coverage can pay for injuries, lost income, and pain and suffering when an uninsured or hit‑and‑run driver causes the crash.
This article explains in detail whether you need uninsured motorist coverage in Arizona. We’ll explain Arizona’s rules for UM/UIM and collision coverage, what each type of coverage pays, how hit‑and‑run claims work, and the claim notice window.
You’ll get practical steps to review your insurance policy, compare uninsured motorist coverage vs. collision, and pick limits that match your needs and risk.
The Sorenson Law Firm brings 130+ years of combined experience to Arizona car insurance and injury claims.
Our team handles communications with insurance companies, coverage disputes, and uninsured motorist claim strategy across Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Tucson. For tailored guidance, request a free case review with a personal injury lawyer today.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance?
Uninsured motorist insurance is first‑party protection in your own car insurance. It applies when a crash is caused by an uninsured driver or a hit‑and‑run driver. Policies list uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI) and underinsured motorist (UIM) for low‑limit drivers.
Some insurers offer uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) to address vehicle damage in limited situations, though collision usually handles the car. UM/UIM are separate line items on most Arizona auto insurance policies and do not replace mandatory liability coverage.
What Does Uninsured Motorist Insurance Cover?
UM and UIM can pay for bodily‑injury losses you suffer in a crash caused by an uninsured driver. Covered losses often include:
- Medical expenses for emergency care, follow‑up treatment, and rehabilitation.
- Lost income and diminished earning ability.
- Pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.
Policies define who counts as an “insured.” That can include the named insured, resident family members in the household, and passengers in the covered vehicle.
Read your declarations page and policy endorsements to see who is protected and how far the protection travels when you are a pedestrian or cyclist.
When Uninsured Motorist Insurance Applies and How It Differs From Liability Coverage
UM/UIM apply when another motorist is at fault and either has no insurance or not enough to pay your losses. Liability coverage pays others you injure when you are at fault.
UM is a claim against your own insurer, triggered by the other driver’s lack of insurance. Liability coverage is required by Arizona law; UM/UIM are optional but strongly recommended for injury protection.
Do You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage if You Have Collision in Arizona?
Is Uninsured Motorists Insurance Required in Arizona?
UM/UIM are not required to drive in Arizona. A.R.S. § 20‑259.01 requires insurers to offer UM and UIM and requires a written rejection if you do not want them.
Does Full Coverage Include Uninsured Motorist Insurance?
“Full coverage” often means liability, collision, and comprehensive. UM/UIM often appear as separate choices on your declarations page, so a policy labeled “full coverage” may omit UM/UIM unless you selected it.
Does Collision Insurance Cover Uninsured Motorist Accidents?
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after a crash, minus your deductible. It does not pay your medical bills, wage loss, or pain and suffering when you are hit by an uninsured driver.
This is the core difference in uninsured motorist coverage vs. collision insurance. Collision protects the car. UM/UIM protect people.
Drivers who rely on collision alone often discover there is no practical way to pay for damages tied to injury after an accident with an uninsured motorist.
How Much Uninsured Motorist Insurance Do I Need?
Many Arizonans match UM/UIM limits to their liability limits. Higher limits create a wider safety net for serious injuries.
Do I Need Uninsured Motorist Insurance if I Have Medicare?
Drivers who have Medicare should consider that Medicare does not pay noneconomic damages or wage loss. UM/UIM can address those losses, and Medicare may assert a lien on amounts it advanced.
Coordinating UM/UIM benefits and any health plan lien is part of a sound recovery plan after a serious crash.
Arizona’s Legal Standard for UM, UIM, and Collision
How Fault Is Proven
Arizona injury claims use negligence principles. You must show duty, breach, causation, and damages by a preponderance of the evidence. Common proof includes police reports, body‑cam video, event data recorder downloads, photographs, and witness statements.
In Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and Tucson, intersection camera data and 911 audio can also strengthen liability proof. The same standard applies in a first‑party UM claim; you still prove the uninsured motorist caused the crash.
How Arizona’s Comparative Negligence Affects a UM or UIM Payout
Arizona follows pure comparative fault. Your recovery from an uninsured motorist claim is reduced by your percentage of fault, even in a first‑party UM/UIM claim. A driver who is 20% at fault sees a 20% reduction in the gross value of injury damages.
Insurers may argue shared fault to lower payout. Preserving scene evidence and independent witnesses helps counter those arguments.
Arizona Statutes That Govern Offers and Deadlines
A.R.S. § 20‑259.01 governs UM/UIM offer and written rejection. Arizona’s two‑year statute of limitations for personal injury claims against an at‑fault driver appears in A.R.S. § 12‑542.
Written notice deadlines for UM and UIM claims appear in A.R.S. § 12‑555, which generally requires written notice within three years, with timing tied to when uninsured or underinsured status is or should be known.
Policy arbitration clauses and shorter contractual deadlines can also govern the forum and timing.
Legal Process for UM/UIM and Collision Claims in Arizona
How To Start an Uninsured Motorist Claim With Your Insurer
Open a claim with your carrier and request your declarations page and full policy. Ask the adjuster to open separate files for collision and UM/UIM. Steps often include:
- Give notice in writing, and request claim numbers for each type of coverage.
- Schedule vehicle inspection, and manage repairs under collision.
- Provide medical records and bills to the UM/UIM adjuster.
- Share witness lists, photographs, and any dashcam footage.
- Track wage loss, and obtain employer verification.
Keep communications organized and in writing when possible to avoid disputes over what was reported.
Time Limits and Notice Requirements
You have two years to sue an at‑fault driver under A.R.S. § 12‑542. UM/UIM written notice timing under A.R.S. § 12‑555 is generally three years from the accident or from learning the other driver was uninsured or underinsured.
Some policies add contractual arbitration or suit deadlines. Missing a notice deadline can bar benefits, even when liability is clear.
Tactics Insurance Companies Use and How To Respond
Common issues include recorded statement requests that shape liability, low initial offers, disputes over uninsured status, and arguments that treatment was excessive or unrelated. Respond with organized evidence:
- Provide only factual statements and avoid speculation.
- Use medical timelines and physician opinions to link injuries to the crash.
- Document job duties and wage loss with employer letters and pay stubs.
- Cite A.R.S. § 20‑259.01 and § 12‑555 when adjusters misstate UM/UIM rules.
What Happens When a Hit‑and‑Run or Shared Fault Crash Occurs?
When the At-Fault Driver Flees or Cannot Be Identified
UM often applies to hit‑and‑run injuries when you report the crash to police and notify your insurer in a timely manner. Policies include cooperation clauses.
Save any video, seek witnesses, and get the incident number. Many carriers require physical contact or independent corroboration before paying under UM for an unknown driver.
When You Are Partly at Fault Under Arizona Law
Pure comparative negligence means your UM/UIM recovery drops by your share of fault. A 30% share leads to a 30% reduction. Strategy focuses on establishing the uninsured driver’s greater fault through scene measurements, traffic signal timing, and expert crash reconstruction when needed.
Collision Deductible Waiver vs. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage
Some policies include a collision deductible waiver when an identified uninsured driver hits you, which reduces out‑of‑pocket costs to repair the car.
Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage can also cover damage in certain uninsured or hit‑and‑run scenarios, often with proof hurdles and lower limits.
Compare collision deductible terms against UMPD endorsements to see which coverage pays first and how the insurer coordinates benefits.
Key Evidence in Uninsured Motorist and Collision Claims
Documents That Prove Uninsured or Underinsured Status
Proof often includes a police report noting no insurance, a Department of Transportation or MVD check, written confirmation from a carrier that no policy was in force, and coverage denial letters.
For hit‑and‑run incidents, document contact damage, paint transfer, and the timeline of your police report and claim notice.
Injury and Damage Evidence That Supports Your Claim
Strong files include EMS records, emergency department notes, diagnostic imaging, treatment plans, therapy notes, and itemized bills. Wage documentation should capture missed time, job duties affected by injury, and physician work restrictions.
For the car, keep repair estimates, photographs, and any pre‑loss value research. Event data recorder downloads and expert opinions can tie mechanics of injury to the crash.
Witness and Scene Evidence To Collect
Independent witness contact info, intersection or business surveillance, dashcam video, and 911 audio often sway liability findings.
Scene photos should capture skid marks, debris fields, lane positions, and road hazards. Quick preservation of digital evidence raises the quality of your proof package.
The Role of a Car Accident Attorney in Arizona
How an Attorney Handles Insurance Companies on Your Behalf
Counsel manages all adjuster communications, interprets policy language, identifies every type of coverage, and submits a complete demand package.
When more than one carrier is involved, an attorney coordinates liability coverage, collision, MedPay, and UM/UIM to prevent gaps and double payments.
How Attorneys Value UM/UIM Claims
Evaluation starts with medical expenses, future care, and lost income and then adds noneconomic damages tied to pain, limitations, and life impact.
Lien resolution matters too. Many clients have health plans, AHCCCS, or Medicare liens. Coordinating those interests protects your net recovery when UM/UIM funds are released.
When Litigation or Arbitration Is Required
Most UM/UIM policies contain arbitration clauses. If negotiations stall, counsel triggers arbitration under policy terms or files suit when permitted.
Timelines under A.R.S. § 12‑555 and any contractual limits guide the filing calendar. Evidence is presented under Arizona Rules of Evidence with medical experts, economists, and crash reconstruction as needed.
How The Sorenson Law Firm Can Help
Our team investigates fault, preserves evidence, and analyzes medical records. We open and manage the UM/UIM claim, track deadlines under A.R.S. § 12‑555, and negotiate fair value with your carrier.
When needed, we arbitrate or litigate to pursue the coverage you need under your insurance policy.
We know Arizona roads and local court procedures. Clients benefit from our familiarity with insurers that write car insurance statewide and our experience with adjusters who handle UM/UIM in the Valley and Southern Arizona.
This local knowledge supports efficient case strategy from notice through resolution.
Connect With an Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Get a free case evaluation with one of our personal injury lawyers. Learn how much your uninsured motorist claim could be worth, how UM/UIM interacts with health liens, and whether arbitration applies.
If you were hit by an uninsured driver or have questions about policy limits, our team is ready to help you understand which type of coverage pays and how to pursue a fair outcome.
Call our Tempe office at (480) 839-9500 or contact us through our website to schedule your free case review.
Key Points To Remember
- Arizona does not require UM/UIM, but insurers must offer it, and a written rejection is required under A.R.S. § 20‑259.01.
- Collision coverage repairs or replaces your vehicle; it does not pay your medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
- UM/UIM can pay for injuries when an uninsured or underinsured driver causes the crash, including many hit‑and‑run cases.
- Arizona follows comparative negligence; any fault you share can reduce a UM/UIM recovery.
- Deadlines matter: Two years to sue an at‑fault driver (A.R.S. § 12‑542) and generally three years to give UM/UIM written notice (A.R.S. § 12‑555).
- Evidence wins claims: Prompt reporting, medical proof, wage documentation, and independent witnesses strengthen your position.
Additional Resources
- ADOT Motor Vehicle Division – Financial Responsibility: State insurance requirements, proof of insurance, and compliance details for Arizona drivers.
- A.R.S. § 20‑259.01 and A.R.S. § 12‑555: Statutes governing UM/UIM offers, written rejection, and written notice deadlines for UM/UIM claims; see A.R.S. § 12‑542 for the two‑year personal injury statute.
- NHTSA Traffic Safety Resources: Information on road, vehicle, and driving safety.
