27 articles
Stacking, phantom-vehicle claims, bad-faith UM/UIM denials, and arbitration — the under-discussed coverage that often becomes the only path to recovery.
Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
UM/UIM Attorney →Last Updated: April 22, 2026 If an uninsured driver hits you in Illinois, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for your…
When an Illinois insurance company refuses to pay a valid uninsured motorist claim, the policyholder can fight back under 215 ILCS 5/155,…
Illinois requires drivers to carry only $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage under 625 ILCS 5/7-317, one of the lowest…
**Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays your damages when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance.** Illinois law allows UM/UIM claims in wrongful death cases…
**Rideshare accident UM/UIM claims cover you when the driver lacks adequate liability insurance.** Uber and Lyft provide contingent coverage, but you can…
**UIM offset calculations reduce your recovery by the amount the at-fault driver’s insurance already paid.** Illinois applies the ‘true offset’ method, meaning…
**Injured pedestrians and bicyclists can claim UM/UIM coverage through their own auto insurance policy.** Illinois law doesn’t require you to carry personal…
**Injured motorcycle riders can use their own UM/UIM coverage if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.** Illinois allows motorcycle riders to…
If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Illinois, your own auto policy may pay you through uninsured motorist…
If your own insurance company wrongfully denies or delays your UM/UIM claim, you can pursue a bad faith lawsuit and recover not…
UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage pays your medical bills and damages when the at-fault driver is uninsured or lacks sufficient coverage; medical payment…
A phantom vehicle is an unidentified car involved in causing your accident (hit-and-run or indirect collision); Illinois allows phantom vehicle claims under…
If you own multiple vehicles with UM/UIM coverage, you can usually stack the limits to increase available coverage, for example, $100,000 per…
Passengers can claim UM/UIM coverage from the vehicle they were riding in, and may also have access to coverage from their own…
Bad faith occurs when an insurance company denies a valid UM/UIM claim without proper investigation or for reasons not supported by the…
UM/UIM arbitration is a binding process where a neutral arbitrator decides how much the insurer must pay if you and the company…
If a truck hits you and the truck driver is uninsured or underinsured, your UM/UIM coverage pays for your damages up to…
Illinois minimum auto insurance ($25,000/$50,000/$20,000) is the legal floor but falls far short of covering serious injuries, medical bills alone can exceed…
Stacking UM/UIM coverage in Illinois depends on the policy language, the vehicles or policies involved, and any clear anti-stacking clause. Illinois statutes…
If an uninsured driver hit you in Illinois, you usually file a UM claim with your own auto insurer. Illinois requires uninsured…
Insurance companies fight medical bills by arguing charges are excessive, duplicative, or unnecessary; a medical bill audit reduces inflated charges, negotiates with…
You can stack UM/UIM coverage in Illinois if you own multiple vehicles, each vehicle’s policy limit is available for coverage. Some situations…
Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is first-party insurance that may pay when the at-fault driver’s liability limits are too low for your injuries.…
**Medical bills in UM claims are paid from your UM/UIM policy and your health insurance.** Subrogation may apply, requiring your health insurer…
**When both spouses are injured in an uninsured motorist accident, each can claim UM benefits.** Illinois law allows separate UM claims per…
Insurance companies often make initial settlement offers far below actual claim value; injured people are entitled to compensation beyond what insurers voluntarily…