What is ‘U’ Coverage in a Pennsylvania auto insurance policy?

“U” Coverage is shorthand for Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Underinsured Motorist Coverage. “U” Coverage is not required by law, but it is extremely important and should be purchased by everyone in Pennsylvania because of the great number of uninsured and underinsured drivers on our roadways.

Pennsylvania uninsured motorist coverage will protect you in the event that you’re injured as a result of the carelessness of a driver who is uninsured. If you’re injured because of a “phantom” vehicle, i.e. a Pennsylvania hit-and-run accident in which the guilty driver is never identified, your uninsured motorist coverage will protect you up to the limits that you purchased.

Pennsylvania underinsured motorist coverage will protect you if you’re injured as a result of the carelessness of a driver who has insurance but not enough. For example, the minimum coverage that Pennsylvania drivers are required to purchase is $15,000. If you’ve been seriously injured, $15,000 won’t begin to make you whole when you consider your medical bills, your lost wages, your pain and suffering, and other harm. So, if you’ve been seriously injured by an underinsured driver, your underinsured motorist coverage (if you bought some) will protect you up to the limits that you purchased.